A 53-YEAR-OLD man has been pronounced dead after a crash on the M3 today (Thursday), police have revealed.

A stretch of the M3 southbound, between Junction 5 (A287) and Junction 6 (A339/Black Dam roundabout), was shut this morning after a Volkswagen Golf crashed into the central reservation during the morning rush hour.

Police have since confirmed that despite best efforts, the 53-year-old driver of the vehicle died in the incident. There were no passengers.

The victim's next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

The incident happened just after 7am, with the carriageway remaining closed until just after 10am.

Officers investigating the remain keen to speak to anyone who saw the Golf on the M3 southbound just after 7am this morning.

Anyone with information can call 101, quoting 44200001382, or incident number 108 of today's date.