A POST mortem has been unable to determine how a man died in the back of a lorry on a Hampshire motorway.

The Asian man was found in the rear of the Italian vehicle between junctions nine and 10 of the M3 yesterday.

Detective Superintendent Dave Williams from Hampshire Constabulary’s Major Crime Department said: “At this stage there is no pathological evidence to suggest foul play. Although the man was wearing several layers of clothing and seemed prepared for the cold conditions, we can’t rule out the possibility he died through hypothermia or other natural causes.

“Our enquiry team is currently liaising with the UK Borders Agency, Surrey Police, Kent Police and our partners in Human Trafficking intelligence with a view to identifying the man and the circumstances surrounding his death.

“From other clothes we found inside the trailer, we’re concerned that there were other people, possibly a woman and child, stowed away in the vehicle.

“It’s possible they managed to get out of the vehicle on either the M25 or the M3. We’re continuing to work with Kent Police and Surrey Police to try and trace them.

“I’m also appealing for information from drivers who may have seen the lorry as it made its way across the South East along the motorway network.”

The dead man is described as of Asian appearance, between 25 and 30-years-old, of a slim to medium build with no identifiable marks or scars. He was wearing blue jeans, a black belt and several sweaters.

The lorry is a 32 tonne articulated lorry, with a white cab and blue canvas sides. It was carrying Christmas decorations and three agricultural vehicles. It entered the UK via Dover in the early hours of Tuesday.

Detectives are continuing to question the driver, 45-year-old Italian man.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Superintendent Dave Williams quoting Operation Arena, on 0845 045 45 45 or the anonymous Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111