A WOMAN died after falling onto one of Hampshire's busiest motorways forcing police to shut the road while an investigation into the death was launched.

The body of the 65-year-old woman, thought to come from Southampton, was found in the middle of the westbound carriageway of the M27 shortly after 2.30pm yesterday.

Witnesses to the death said it appeared the woman, who has not yet been named, either jumped or fell onto the road from a bridge and was subsequently hit by a lorry.

Police immediately shut the whole of the westbound carriageway between junctions seven and five while ambulance and roads policing teams rushed to the scene.

An air ambulance was also called and landed on the packed motorway before flying the woman to Southampton General Hospital.

There doctors tried to revive her, but despite their efforts she was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.

A spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary said they were not treating the death as suspicious, though appealed for anyone with any information to get in touch.

For the full story see today's Southern Daily Echo.