A double tragedy has occurred on the A3 this morning after two people died following a man's jump from a footbridge.

A man jumped from the bridge at Esher Common at about 9.30am, causing traffic chaos and the eventual closure of the northbound section of the road.

There was then another incident on the other side of the carriageway, when a motorcyclist crashed into a parked ambulance.

The Highways Agency said that both incidents on the A3 are police-led investigations.

The northbound and southbound carriages of the A3 were shut between the A244 and A309 are fully closed.

The northbound section was reopened at about 11.30am and the southbound section was re-opened at 3pm.

A spokesman for South East Coast Ambulance Service said: “We were called shortly after 9.30am to the A3 near Long Ditton to reports a man had jumped from a bridge.

"While we attended, there was a subsequent incident on the other side of the carriageway in which a motorcyclist had collided with a parked London Ambulance Service ambulance.

"Sadly despite all our efforts, two patients were pronounced dead at the scene.”

Two air ambulances were also scrambled to the scene, while Kingston police have sent several officers to assist.

A Surrey Police spokesman said witnesses to these incidents should call their investigation unit on 01483 639922, quoting reference P13074412.

Readers who are in any type of distress can contact the Samaritans by calling 08457 90 90 90 or visiting samaritans.org.