A DRIVER is in hospital after suffering serious injuries when he collided with a tree at the side of a Hampshire motorway.

A stretch of the M3 northbound, between junctions 11 and 12, was closed for six hours yesterday (Saturday) as police attended what they described as a “serious single vehicle collision”.

Officers have now revealed that a grey Vauxhall Astra had collided with a tree at the side of the carriageway.

The driver of the car, a 34-year-old Southampton man, suffered serious injuries and was taken to Southampton General hospital.

His condition is described as serious, with life-threatening injuries.

Police are now appealing for information from any potential witnesses to the crash.

A statement from Hampshire Constabulary added: “Investigations into the exact cause of the collision are ongoing and anyone who was driving along that stretch of the M3 at the time of the incident is asked to get in touch.

“Call us on 101, quoting 44200128634.”

Emergency services had been called to the scene at around 11am yesterday, and the road remained closed until around 5pm.

Basingstoke Rural Police commented on the incident via Twitter on Saturday.

One post read, “please stay off the road network unless it’s essential,” and another added, “please, if you're using the road network for one reason or another, be safe and only travel if essential.”