Three people from Sussex have been arrested after a 36-year-old man died in a lorry crash on the M27 yesterday.

The M27 was closed in Hampshire between junctions 5 and 9 for more than 36 hours following the crash.

At lunchtime on Wednesday, an HGV lorry veered off the westbound carriageway and smashed into a large metal sign near Southampton Airport. The driver, from Salisbury, died.

Hours later the lorry burst into flames.

Two men and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. Two of the suspects have also been arrested for drink driving – and one of the two has also been arrested for drug driving.

A spokesperson for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said: “We were called shortly after 12.30pm on Wednesday, February 21, to reports of a serious multi-vehicle collision at junction five.

“The collision involved a Mercedes lorry, Nissan Juke and Volkswagen Polo.

“Sadly, the driver of the lorry, a 36-year-old man from Salisbury, Wiltshire, was pronounced dead at the scene. His family are being supported by specially trained officers.

“As a result of the collision, the westbound carriageway between junctions 9 and 5 was closed for a considerable amount of time while National Highways assessed the damage to infrastructure.”

A 32-year-old man from Yapton, near Arundel, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and of drink driving.

A 40-year-old woman from Littlehampton was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, of drink driving and of drug driving.

A 37-year-old man from Littlehampton was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

All three have since been released on bail until May 21 while enquiries continue to establish the circumstances that led to this collision.

The spokesperson continued: “We are continuing to appeal for witnesses to the collision. Anyone with information or relevant dash cam footage should call 101 quoting reference 44240076451.”