A LORRY driver was arrested on suspicion of drink and drug driving after a fatal three-vehicle crash.

Emergency services rushed to the scene after reports of a collision between a lorry, a van and a Toyota Auris on Tuesday.

Officers investigating the crash confirmed the 43-year-old car driver, from Reading, died at the scene.

The van driver, a 49-year-old man also from Reading, suffered life-threatening injuries and was rushed to Southampton General Hospital for treatment.

Now, officers have confirmed that the lorry driver, a 40-year-old man from Huddersfield, was arrested on suspicious of drink-driving, driving while unfit through drugs and causing death by dangerous driving.

A police spokesman said: "We were called at 9.19am to reports of a collision on the A34 southbound at Bullington Cross in Hampshire.

"The incident involved a HGV lorry, a Peugeot van and a Toyota Auris.

"The driver of the Toyota, a 43-year-old man from Reading, was pronounced dead at the scene.

"His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

"The driver of the lorry, a 40-year-old man from Huddersfield, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, causing death by driving without due care/consideration while unfit through drugs, driving a motor vehicle with a proportion of specified controlled drug above the specified limit and driving whilst unfit through drink."

The collision closed the southbound carriageway until 12.30am on Wednesday, July 4.

It caused significant damage to the crash barriers, which had to be repaired.

A female passenger in the lorry also suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment.

Roads policing investigators have launched an appeal for information about the crash.

The spokesman added: "Investigations into the exact circumstances of the collision are ongoing.

"There would have been a lot of people travelling on the A34 at this time of the morning, and officers want to speak to anyone who was on this section of the road in the lead up to the collision.

"Did you see any of the vehicles mentioned immediately prior to the incident? Did you see what happened?"

The lorry driver was released under investigation.