Lorry driver dies after HGV smashes through barrier on motorway bridge and plummets 25ft

A LORRY driver has sadly died after their HGV smashed through barriers of a bridge near a major motorway and plummeted 25ft. Emergency services rushed to the M3 at Junction 14 near Eastleigh following the horror smash shortly before 11pm on Tuesday. The horror crash took place yesterday evening Credit: UKNIP Police raced to the scene and closed the affected sections of the motorway Credit: Solent The lorry left the motorway close to the interchange with the M27 before crashing off a bridge on to Chestnut Avenue. Police raced to the scene and quickly closed off the area. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Crews from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, South Central Ambulance Service rapid-response paramedics and a specialist Hazardous Area Response Team attended the scene to launch a complex rescue operation. Emergency teams worked into the early hours of Wednesday to free the trapped driver as they dealt with the badly damaged HGV. A forensic investigation underway Credit: UKNIP A specialist heavy-recovery crane is understood to be required to remove the HGV Credit: UKNIP Pictures from the crash site show the broken bridge barrier where the lorry swerved off the road and onto the tarmac below. The tipped over lorry lies stuck on its side, with some of its wheels scattered on the road. It is understood that a specialist heavy-recovery crane will be required to remove the HGV. A driver from the area reportedly described seeing a lorry “swerving” left and right across the M3 in Hampshire before the incident. Most read in The Sun A forensic investigation underway with specialist collision investigators and commercial vehicle officers from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary to carry out a detailed examination of the crash scene. It is likely to involve forensic mapping and scanning of the motorway, bridge and vehicle as officers establish how the HGV came to leave the carriageway. More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online Thesun.co.uk is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesun and follow us on TikTok @TheSun.