THREE people had a miraculous escape after a two-lorry crash closed a major road for seven hours on Tuesday afternoon.

The A34 had originally been closed southbound between A272/Three Maids Hill and the A33 Basingstoke Road as a result of the incident, but the closure has since been extended to the A303 at Bullington Cross.

The two drivers of the two lorrys, as well as a passenger miraculously escaped without serious injuries.

Police closed the southbound carriageway at around 1.30pm, after the crash blocked the road around 10 minutes earlier.

Delays of around 50 minutes were reported during the afternoon, which also caused congestion on other Winchester routes.

A spokesman for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) said the crash involved two lorries, with one of the lorries leaking diesel onto the carriageway as a result.

HFRS crews from Winchester, Eastleigh and Redbridge fire stations worked during the afternoon to plug the leak.

A spokesman from South Central Ambulance Service added: "The team assessed, treated and discharged the three patients involved (one in the lorry in front, two in the lorry behind) for minor injuries.

"The road is likely to remain closed for some time whilst the other services clear the collision from the carriageway."

The closure continued into the evening rush hour, before the road was eventually reopened at around 8.30pm.