THE SOUTHBOUND carriageway of the A34 north of Winchester is likely to remain closed until at least 7pm this evening (Tuesday) following a serious collision earlier today in which one person died.

A spokesman for Hampshire Police said: "We are dealing with a complex recovery operation and there is extensive damage to the crash barriers which Highways England will need to repair before they can lift the closures.

"We will update our social media channels once the closures have been lifted.

"We were called at 9.19am following the collision involving a lorry, a van and a car on the southbound carriageway.

"The collision totally blocked the southbound carriageway just out of Bullington and crossed over on to the A30, which runs parallel.

"We can confirm that one person has died, two people have been taken to hospital with serious injuries and one person has been taken to hospital with minor injuries.

"Investigations are ongoing into the exact circumstances of the collision and, as a result of this and the need to ensure the road is safe before it is reopened, the carriageway is expected to remain closed until this evening.

"We are working with our colleagues from Highways England to ensure we get the road open as soon as possible.

"We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused and urge motorists to avoid the area if possible.

"Diversions are in place. For motorway traffic, diversion are via the A30 and M3. For non-motorway traffic diversions are via the A33.

"Officers would like to speak to any motorists who were driving in either direction of the A34 at around 9am this morning as they may have information that could help with the ongoing investigation.

"Anyone with information is asked to contact us on 101, quoting incident number 238."