M4 crash: Van driver has life-threatening injuries after lorry crash

The crash involving a white Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van and a lorry happened shortly after 4am on Thursday. It took place on the westbound carriageway between junction 14 for Hungerford and junction 15 for Swindon. The road was closed throughout the morning rush-hour and much of the day.

The van driver, a man in his thirties, suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital where he currently remains. The closed road on the M4 on Thursday morning. (Image: National Highways)

Thames Valley Police say that they have informed the man's next of kin while the force's support has also been offered.

Officers attended the scene and remained for several hours while a collision investigation took place. The force is now appealing for witnesses to come forward to help with their enquiries. Sergeant Tony Jenkins, of the Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit, said: "Firstly, I would like to send our best wishes to the victim of this collision, who has suffered life-threatening injuries, and our thoughts are with him and his loved ones.

"I am appealing for any witnesses to this collision to please come forward. The M4 was closed early on Thursday morning. (Image: National Highways)

"Also, if you were driving in the area around the time of the collision and have a dash-cam, please check your recording in case it has captured something that could assist us and get in touch if you have.

"Anyone with information or footage should call 101 or make a report on our website, quoting reference number 239 of today's date. "The motorway remains closed while we deal with the collision, with diversions in place. "Apologies for any inconvenience this has caused but we hope to reopen it at around 1pm but that is subject to change."

The road remains closed westbound between the two junctions with National Highways previously estimating a reopening time of 3.15pm on Thursday. A diversion route via the B4192 and Aldbourne has been put in place by National Highways with traffic congestion building throughout the morning and afternoon. It is the third time the M4 has been closed for an extended period of time this week.

The same stretch of the road was closed for most of Monday after a fatal crash late on Sunday evening. A man was killed whilst crossing the carriageway at roughly 9.40pm. He had previously been driving a Hyundai Iconic.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, a stretch of the motorway was closed westbound between junction 12 (Reading West) and junction 13 (Newbury) after a serious crash. Also this week, a man in his forties was killed after his Toyota Yaris was involved in a crash with two lorries on the A420 near Faringdon. The crash took place at around 12.50am on Wednesday.

This all comes just a week after 17-year-old Jamie Donnelly on January 2, who was killed after the Vauxhall Astra he was a passenger in crashed at Junction 15 of the M4 after a police pursuit.

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