M4 motorway CLOSED as horror crash leaves one person dead
MOTORISTS face hours of delays and tailbacks after a serious crash left one person dead and closed part of one of the UK’s busiest motorways.
The M4 has been partially closed after a crash between a lorry and person
The London-bound carriageway of the M4, which links the capital with the west of England, was shut following a crash between a lorry and a person.
The collision occurred around 3am on Tuesday morning, and the road between Junction 11, Reading, and Junction 10, Wokingham and Bracknell, was closed.
Photos from the scene indicate it was an Iceland lorry involved in the fatal smash.
Thames Valley Police (TVP) were called in the early hours of the morning, and confirmed the person died at the scene.
A spokeswoman said: “The lorry driver is uninjured but is thought to be suffering from shock.”
#M4 Eastbound is CLOSED between J11 and J10 - https://t.co/RBg01xy5gi - Road not expected to re-open before 11am pic.twitter.com/lAdXA4mMSy
— Motorway Cameras (@MotorwayCameras) October 11, 2016
A South Central Ambulance Service Spokesman confirmed the road had been shut after a “collision between a lorry and a pedestrian”.
Highways England warned the road would be shut for several hours while the carriageway is cleared.
All lanes have since reopened but delays of up to an hour are still expected, and traffic will be heavy until around 4pm.
They said: “The incident involving a heavy goods vehicle and a pedestrian occurred at 3am.
Thames Valley Police (TVP) were called to the scene in the early hours
“The road must remain closed while police investigate.
“Exit at junction 11 and follow the route marked with a hollow circle symbol on local roadsigns.”
It is thought one lane westbound has also been forced to close, and tents have been erected around the scene.
M4 SHUT after horror collision
It is thought an Iceland lorry was involved in the crash
One person wrote on twitter: “Been on A33 since 07:30 heading to M4 after fatal accident! Gonna be sat here a while more I suspect.”
Another tweeted: “Avoid j11 of the #m4 like the plague! It's taken me an hour to do 2 miles.”
Someone else posted: “Sorry the traffic is so bad due to #M4 closure but more sorry someone has lost their life.
#M4 E/B closed J11-J10 nr #Reading. Serious collision. @tvprp advise will be closed for some time. Expect delays. Follow circle diversion. pic.twitter.com/KedhuDSx58
— Highways England (@HighwaysEAST) October 11, 2016
“Don't be grumpy be grateful. Have a safe day.”
A fourth person tweeted: “Oh ruddy nora, the traffic is bad because the m4 is partially closed.
“The m4 is closed because someone was hit by a lorry this morning. Grim.”
My view from a bridge over junction 11 this morning as #M4 closed between 11 & 10 (London bound) @BBCBerkshire pic.twitter.com/tapWlD3cFY
— Anna Geary (@AnnaGeary1990) October 11, 2016
Another stranded driver wrote: “Every time there is an accident on the M4, the whole of Reading grinds to a halt.
"2 hours replaces a normal 30 min journey into work today.”
Highways England estimate the road will fully reopen around midday
Traffic began to back up to Junction 8 and Junction 12.
One lane on the westbound carriageway was also forced to close in the aftermath of the fatal crash.
White Watch have dealt with a serious incident on the M4, please drive carefully on the roads and expect delays around the Reading area.
— Caversham Road (@CavershamRoadFS) October 11, 2016
Nearby motorway the M3 is also experienced heavy congestion as traffic diverted away from the crash scene.
Roads around Reading became gridlocked as motorists try and bypass the diversion, with earlier reports of 12 mile queues stretching back.