A RED Funnel employee driving a lorry has died after a crash into a set of traffic lights outside the ferry company's terminal in Southampton serving the Isle of Wight. 

Police were called to the incident at 5.45am on Thursday after the HGV crashed on the A33 at Town Quay. 

But despite the best efforts of the public and emergency services, the driver, 40, of Bournemouth, died. 

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Police are now appealing for witnesses to the collision, who may have been travelling to the Isle of Wight. 

A spokesperson said: "Were you in the area at the time? We would particularly like to speak to anyone with relevant dashcam footage."

If you have any information about this incident, please report online via the police's website or call 101, quoting reference 44230236833 Operation Gerrera.

Red Funnel CEO Fran Collins said: “All of us at Red Funnel are shocked and saddened by the passing of our colleague on Thursday morning.

"We are doing all we can to support the family at this sad time.

"I am proud of my Red Funnel colleagues, who responded compassionately and professionally throughout what was an incredibly emotional day.

"We ask for respect of the privacy of the family during their sadness and for the feelings of our team, who have lost a colleague and friend.”