A motorcyclist in his 60s has died after a rush hour crash on the M27 outside Portsmouth this morning.

The motorway has been closed for hours since the smash on the eastbound carriageway, with an eight-mile stretch shut between junctions J9 and J12.

The alarm was raised after a Triumph motorbike crashed at about 6.39am.

Its rider, a man in his 60s, was discovered dead at the scene, the police confirmed.

The serious incident has closed all Portsmouth-bound lanes between junction J9 (Whiteley) and J12, and the road is expected to remain closed for several hours.

Congestion is building up in the area, with delays exceeding 50 minutes westbound and 30 minutes eastbound, National Highways warned.

Police urged drivers to try and use alternative routes this morning because of delays.

While the circumstances of the crash have not been confirmed, drivers said online roads in the area suffered surface flooding this morning.

Traffic was also trapped earlier westbound, but has since been released.

Hampshire Constabulary said: ‘We are appealing for witnesses and dash cam footage following a fatal collision on the M27 this morning.

‘Police were called at 6.39am to a report of a collision on the eastbound carriageway between junctions 11 and 12.

‘This involved a white Triumph motorcycle and the motorcyclist, a man in his 60s, was sadly confirmed deceased at the scene.

‘The carriageway has been closed eastbound between junctions 9 and 12 and is likely to be closed for several hours so please avoid the area at this time.’

National Highways said: ‘The M27 eastbound in Hampshire is closed between J9 (Whiteley) and J12 (Portsmouth) due to a serious collision.

‘At around 06:45 this morning Hampshire Constabulary advised National Highways that traffic had been stopped eastbound due to a serious collision involving a motorcycle.

‘Shortly after 08:00hrs Police advise they had amended the closure from J9 to J12.

‘National Highways have dispatched units and are currently on scene assisting police.

‘Plans are being made to release traffic within the closure.’

Metro has contacted the ambulance service for a comment.

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