Drivers on the M3 were facing severe delays in excess of 60 minutes after traffic backed up due to a car leaving the carriageway and coming to rest in a ditch, according to National Highways. 

The organisation said that there were delays in excess of 60 minutes and approximately 4.5 miles of congestion following the incident eastbound between Junction 5 and Junction 4A. 

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said in a statement: “Crews were called to attend an incident on the M3 between Junction 4A and Fleet Services this morning at around 10am.”

The spokesperson added: “Firefighters from Rushmoor and Basingstoke attended the incident which involved one vehicle that came off the highway and went into a ditch.

“Occupants of the vehicle were given immediate emergency care by firefighters before being passed into the care of the ambulance service.”

In its latest update, National Highways announced that the the recovery was complete and “all lanes are open on the #M3 eastbound between J5 (#Hook) and J4A (#Farnborough)”.

“Please allow time for delays to ease, approx. 3.5 miles of congestion,” it added, advising drivers to add an extra 20 minutes on their current journey times.

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