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.
HGV collision on the #A34 with significant damage to 1 cab. Amazingly only a plaster required #ukhart #JESIP @Redbridge53 @WinchesterStn30 @HantsPolice pic.twitter.com/3eo6DaPaeJ
— SCAS HART (@SCAS_HART) December 12, 2017
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.
Southbound A34 reports of road blocked from RTI at Three Maids Hill. Could be blocked for a while. #JOUCVU
— Hants Roads Policing (@HantsPolRoads) December 12, 2017
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."
@SCAS_HART are currently attending a complexed RTC on the A34, luckily no injuries. Road blocked southbound carriageway please stay clear. pic.twitter.com/qM2FLpLucu
— SCAS HART (@SCAS_HART) December 12, 2017
The closure continued into the evening rush hour, before the road was eventually reopened at around 8.30pm.
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