Two women killed in horror M4 crash involving overturned HGV lorry …
Two women were killed today in a serious five-vehicle crash[1] which closed the M4 when an air ambulance rushed to the scene in Wiltshire as Storm Babet[2] continues to wreak havoc.
A HGV lorry overturned and four other cars were also involved in the accident – leading to closures in both directions at junction 18 for Bath and junction 17 for Chippenham. The motorway was partly closed for much of the rest of the day with severe delays reported. A single lane on the westbound carriageway has since reopened.
Wiltshire Police[3] has confirmed two women died in the accident and their next of kin have been informed. A spokesman said: “Emergency services were called to the eastbound carriageway between junction 17 for Chippenham and junction 18 for Bath at approximately 9.10am. Four cars and an HGV were involved in the collision.
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A major emergency response was at the scene (
Tom Wren / SWNS)
“Two women travelling in one of the vehicles have sadly been pronounced dead at the scene and specialist officers have informed their next of kin. Our thoughts are with their families at this difficult time.
“Two other people involved in the collision sustained minor injuries and were treated by paramedics at the scene. A full closure was put in place on the M4 at junction 18 eastbound and junction 17 westbound to allow emergency services to carry out recovery and investigative work.”
An air ambulance was called to the scene and long delays were caused on the same stretch due to flooding as heavy rain lashed down on the West Country and much of the rest of the UK.
The crash was on the eastbound carriageway between junctions 18 (Bath) and 17 (Chippenham) (
Tom Wren / SWNS)
Roads Policing Unit A/Insp Will Ayres said: “Due to the seriousness of the collision and the vehicles involved, the recovery work and investigation at the scene is likely to take a significant time and therefore the eastbound side of the motorway will remain closed well in to this evening.
“We have opened one lane of the westbound carriageway, however there are currently a number of emergency service vehicles still occupying that carriageway. Once these are cleared we will fully reopen this side of the motorway.”
Avon and Somerset Police[4] said at the time: “Emergency services are responding to a serious collision involving a number of vehicles, including a lorry, on the M4 eastbound between junctions 18 (Bath) and 17 (Chippenham). It happened at about 9.10am this morning (Friday 20 October). The motorway has been closed in both directions and is expected to be shut for some time. We would advise all motorists consider an alternative route while emergency services are responding to this incident.”
References
- ^ a serious five-vehicle crash (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Storm Babet (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Wiltshire Police (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Avon and Somerset Police (www.mirror.co.uk)