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Fatal M3 crash causes rush hour roads misery
By Pete CastleOctober 11, 2011
ROADS throughout north-east Hampshire were jammed with traffic as a result of a crash on the M3 on Tuesday morning.
Minor roads throughout Aldershot, Farnborough, Fleet and Blackwater were locked solid as people sought an alternative route to work through the Tuesday morning rush-hour.
The delays came after a fatal crash on the M3 between Lightwater (junction 3) and Thorpe in the early hours of Tuesday morning (October 11).
A man died after a two car crash on the London-bound carriageway of the motorway, when a blue Citroen and a red Audi collided shortly after 2am.
A male passenger travelling in the Audi was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Citroen and one of the occupants of the Audi were taken to St Peter’s Hospital in Chertsey with minor injuries but both have since been discharged.
Following the crash four people were arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, failing to stop and driving while unfit. All were in police custody on Tuesday morning as officers continued their inquiry.
Surrey Police closed both north and southbound carriageways of the M3 for just under an hour while the debris was cleared from the road.
Two lanes of the southbound M3 were later reopened, but the northbound carriageway remained completely shut until after the morning rush hour was well underway - causing havoc throughout the area.
Police were advising motorists to 'avoid the area'. However this provided little help for thousands of motorists who were caught up in horrific jams.
Even short journeys around Aldershot and Farnborough were taking more than an hour, causing children to be late for school and employees arriving late for work.
The A331 Blackwater Valley Road, the A31 Hogs Back, and A325 Farnborough Road and A30 through Blackwater and Camberley were all at a slow crawl for hours.
The knock-on effect meant that other minor roads, including the Ash Road in Aldershot, Lower Farnham Road and North Lane, were virtually at a standstill.
Anyone who witnessed the crash on the M3 or who has any information on the incident is asked to call the Surrey Police Collision Investigation Unit on 01483 639922, quoting reference P11300146, or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.
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