A MAN has been hit by a car after running across a motorway.

Ambulance crews were called out to the emergency that occurred between junctions 12 and 13 of the M3 on the northbound carriageway.

The motorway was closed after what Highways England called a "serious incident".

Two ambulance crews and a doctor attended the scene at 7.37pm last night and a spokesman for South Central Ambulance said the man sustained a serious but not life-threatening injury

He has been taken to Southampton General Hospital and was conscious and breathing at the time.

They added that it appeared the man was hit by a car whilst running across the motorway.

Drivers heading home have reported gridlock traffic while the motorway was closed and saw a lorry stopped in the road as well as cars on the hard shoulder.

The incident caused major traffic delays on the motorway heading north.

In a statement Hampshire police said: "Police have closed the M3 northbound between junctions 13 and 12 to safely deal with an incident.

"We will update you as soon as we are able to reopen the road.

"Thank you for your patience."

The road was later reopened.