TWO people had to be cut free from their vehicle after a crash between a van and a Mercedes.

Emergency services rushed to the M3 between junction 13, Eastleigh, and junction 12 this morning to an accident involving a van and a Mercedes.

The accident happened at around 6.45am

Police, fire crews and ambulances arrived at the scene. 

Two fire crews from Eastleigh and two from Redbridge attended the accident and had to cut two people from their vehicle. 

They were taken to hospital with minor injuries. 

The accident caused hour-long delays for motorists this morning with queues of traffic for 9.5 miles.

Lanes two and three of the M3, northbound, were closed and heavy delays are still building on approach heading back towards the M27 in both directions.

Traffic on the M27, westbound, between junction 8 near Bursledon and junction 4 was slow moving as a result of traffic build-up, and motorists heading eastbound on the M27 faced 30 minute delays between junction 1 at Cadnam and junction 4. 

There were 25 minutes delays on Allbrook Way between Shakespeare Road, Eastleigh, and junction 12 A335, Chandler's Ford, due to diverted traffic coming off the M3.

All lanes are now reopened, but traffic is still slow moving in all of the affected areas.