THIS was the horrifying scene as ferocious fire engulfed a lorry caught up in a multi-vehicle crash that claimed one life.

Thousands of drivers were caught up in the chaos as emergency services descended on the M27 - closing it in both directions yesterday morning.

The motorway did not reopen again until shortly before 6am this morning after repair and resurfacing work was completed.

It meant thousands of drivers being being at the centre of major delays for hours through Southampton and on the eastern side of the city as they battled to get home through rush hour last night

One person died in the carnage on the busy eastbound carriageway between Hamble and Whiteley which happened just after 9am.

The Daily Echo understands the driver of the lorry somehow miraculously escaped and the victim was travelling in one of several other vehicles caught up in the accident.

Last night police said they were still trying to identify that person and enquiries were ongoing to contact their family.

As a full emergency response got underway which initially saw the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance called in to assist, police shut the motorway in both directions.

As fire crews tackled the inferno, witnessed by hundreds of drivers who were on the motorway at the time, paramedics were tirelessly helping casualties at the scene.

Seven people were treated on the motorway while a man and a 19-month-old baby were taken to hospital for medical treatment after suffering minor injuries.

Daily Echo:

The fatal crash happened close to junction nine and left thousands of people - many of them on the morning commute - stuck in jams.

As motorists tried to divert and find alternative routes all surrounding roads in Bursledon, Hedge End, Wickham, Botley and West End also became gridlocked.

Some drivers described spending six hours at a standstill as the meticulous operation to clear the scene and carry out a painstaking investigation into what happened progressed.

Witnesses described how many abandoned their cars to stretch their legs and talk to fellow motorists caught in the tailbacks.

Daily Echo:

At one point, hungry drivers took advantage of a Just Rolls catering van also in the queue which began serving up food and drink.

Engineers from the Highways Agency had to cut away a large part of the barrier near the crash scene to free the stuck drivers and reroute them onto the westbound carriageway.

Last night the effects of the tragedy continued, with the motorway still closed eastbound between junctions eight and ten as work was undertaken to repair the badly damaged stretch of road.

As rush hour took hold, there were once again reports of gridlock throughout the area as drivers tried to make their way home.

Police and highways chiefs were hopeful of reopening the motorway by 6am this morning, and managed to allow traffic back on the carriageway by 5.45am.