A WOMAN is fighting for her life after her car left the M3 and landed at the bottom of a verge.

One lane of the M3 has been closed between junctions 8 and 9 following the incident at 1.27pm today (Wednesday).

A blue Peugeot 207 left the carriageway and ended up at the bottom of a verge nearby.

Emergency services were called and a woman in her 60s sustained life-threatening injuries and was taken to Southampton General Hospital by air ambulance.

A police spokesperson said: “We were called at 1.27pm to reports of a blue Peugeot 207 that left the northbound carriageway of the M3 near Winchester services and ended up at the bottom of a verge nearby.

“We closed one of two lanes while the emergency services dealt with the incident.

“The driver, a woman in her 60s, sustained life-threatening injuries and was taken to Southampton General Hospital by air ambulance. Her next of kin are aware.

“The lane closure is causing long delays, so we are urging drivers to find a different route.

“If you saw the incident, or have dash cam footage showing what happened, please call us on 101 quoting 44210299307.”

Highways Agency has said there are currently delays of 30 minutes and queues are not likely to clear until 10.45pm at the latest.

Live cameras from the agency show heavy traffic building as vehicles approach the scene.