Driver dies in M4 crash after car and lorry fire as motorway closed in both directions
A driver has died in a crash[1] after a car and lorry fire[2] closed a motorway in both directions.
The motorway had been closed in both directions since just before midnight on Monday evening. The affected section is between junction 49 Pont Abraham and junction 48 Hendy, Llanelli, in Carmarthenshire in Wales[3].
Dyfed Powys Police confirmed today the motorist has since died. A statement from the force said: "Officers remain at the scene of the road traffic collision which occurred at about 11.20pm, Monday 18th March 2024.
"A car collided with a stationary lorry on the M4 eastbound at junction 48 Hendy, resulting in both vehicles catching fire.Sadly the driver of the car died at the scene. Next of kin has been advised and is being supported by specialist officers.
"The M4 eastbound and westbound between junctions 48, Hendy and 49, Pont Abraham remain closed and road users are advised to avoid the area and take an alternative route if possible. It is anticipated that the westbound lane will open soon. The eastbound lane will remain closed until later this afternoon for recovery of the vehicles."
Los Palacios crash: Six dead as lorry driver smashes into cars at checkpoint[4]
Officers remained at the scene today and the road was shut in both directions for hours. The latest update from Traffic Wales had said the road was likely to remain closed until early afternoon, reports Wales Online[5].
It says: "Please continue to use alternative routes however be prepared for delays and slow moving traffic. We appreciate your cooperation as Dyfed Powys Police deal with the ongoing incident."
The fire service has said that the Pontarddulais and Tumble crews were called to an incident along the M4 eastbound at junction 48 at 11.21pm. Crews responded to a road traffic collision involving one private motor vehicle and one light goods vehicle. A statement said: "Both vehicles were well alight on crews’ arrival and crews utilised one breathing apparatus set and two hose reel jets to extinguish the fires. Crews also utilised scene lighting and absorbent granules." Crews left the scene at 1.19am this morning.
Traffic was heavy on the A48 eastbound, before the M4 ends at Pont Abraham. It was congested from Cross Hands, Carmarthenshire. Westbound traffic was slow from around junction 47 of the M4 for Penllergaer, Swansea. The westbound carriageway opened by 2.15pm, though congestion had built-up by then.
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References
- ^ crash (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ fire (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Wales (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Los Palacios crash: Six dead as lorry driver smashes into cars at checkpoint (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Wales Online (www.walesonline.co.uk)
- ^ Google News (news.google.com)
- ^ Flipboard (flipboard.com)
- ^ Apple News (apple.news)
- ^ Twitter (twitter.com)
- ^ Facebook (facebook.com)
- ^ The Mirror (www.mirror.co.uk)