POLICE have launched an investigation after a 'well-loved' man died in an early-morning crash on a major Winchester route.

Ryan Mayhew, 26, was driving a silver Ford KA which hit a tree by the side of the A3090 Main Road by Deer Park Farm in Hursley.

Emergency services were called to the road, which connects Winchester with Romsey, at about 5.20am today but Ryan, of Woodley Lane, Romsey, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The collision closed the road between the B3043 and Hook Road for around four-and-a-half hours, with officers reopening the road shortly before 10am.

Paying tribute, his family said: "Ryan is a very well-loved husband, son, brother, son-in-law and friend.

"We are hugely shocked and saddened by his sudden passing.

"He will be greatly missed by all who knew him."

Police are investigating the crash and are keen to speak to anyone who knows what happened.

Sergeant Rebecca Hodge, from the Joint Roads Policing Unit, said: “We are working hard to establish exactly what happened.

“At this stage we do not know what time the collision happened, so we want to hear from anyone who drove along that road in the early hours of this morning, between 2.30am and 5.20am.

“Even if you don’t think you saw anything, please call us as your information could assist with the investigation.

“We are keen to speak to anyone who did that journey and has dash cam footage, as this could help us to narrow down the time of the incident.”

Anyone with information can call police on 101, quoting 44180124313, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.