POLICE are searching for a driver after a woman died in a motorway pile-up near Winchester.

The woman was a passenger travelling in one of four vehicles which were in collision between junctions nine and ten on the M3 northbound carriageway at 6.47pm.

All three lanes of the carriageway were shut until the early hours of this morning while police investigated the cause of the crash.

They are appealing for witnesses and want to trace the driver of the fourth vehicle thought to be involved, which did not stop at the scene.

They are also trying to contact a container truck driver who stopped at the scene and spoke to Highways Agency staff but did not leave his details.

Officers have yet to release details of the woman.

Drivers of three vehicles were unharmed.

Police were initially called to reports of up to six vehicles in collison - including a lorry.

They closed the northbound carriageway between junctions 11 and nine while one lane on the southbound carriageway was also sealed off as emergency services attended the casualties.

Crews from Winchester, Eastleigh and Redbridge fire stations were called to the scene.

The incident caused severe delays as commuters make their way home from work with many people stuck in jams for up to an hour.

Witnesses should contact police on 101.

The Highways Agency has set up diversions from junction 11 via the A3090.

Drivers should take the B3040, B3041 and B3420 towards the A34 to join the A34 northbound and head onto the A303 towards Basingstoke to rejoin the M3 at junction 8.