THE HAMPSHIRE road network was thrown into chaos today after a man died after he was hit by a lorry on the M3 at Eastleigh.

The accident caused traffic mayhen after police shut the northbound motorway at junction 12 to rush hour traffic for almost four hours.

The 48 year old man died after he was hit and hurled into the air by a blue DAF articulated lorry just north of junction 12.

Ambulance crews took him to the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester while police moved in to investigate the scene of the accident, which happened at about at 5.40am.

A police spokesman said the man may have been waiting beside a BMW which had broken down on the hard shoulder.

Long tailbacks began to build quickly after the incident as motorist struggled to get out of Southampton and into Eastleigh.

One motorist said: "It's total chaos out there.

"There are people turning back and going home saying they've had enough already."

Officers put out warnings of "major disruption" and began diverting traffic off the motorway at junction 12 through Otterbourne to rejoin at junction 11.

Traffic was brought to a crawl as it headed northbound on the M3 towards the accident scene. Two of the lanes were reopened by 9.30am with whole road operating normally by 10am..

Long queues formed on the M27 back past the Rownhams services to junction 3 heading eastbound, and from junction 7 heading westbound.

Queues also formed along Bursledon Road, Stoneham Way and Bassett Avenue in Southampton and from the Chilworth Roundabout towards junction 14 of the M3.

Roads into Eastleigh and Chandler's Ford from junction 13 were paralysed as motorists tried to get off the motorway.

Roads around Otterbourne were heavily congested.

Police are appealing for witnesses to contact them on 0845 045 45 45 quoting Operation Dorton.