M4 motorway in Carmarthenshire closed after lorry and car crash

The driver of a car which collided with a stationary lorry on the M4 in Carmarthenshire has died, police have said.

Emergency services were called to the scene of the crash on the eastbound carriageway near Hendy at 23:20 GMT on Monday.

Both vehicles caught fire following the crash.

Police said the driver of the car died at the scene, and their next of kin had been informed.

The motorway was closed for several hours in both directions between junctions 48 and 49.

Police said the road reopened eastbound on Tuesday afternoon, and the westbound lanes would reopen shortly.

Drivers have been temporarily diverted through Fforest and Hendy, with queuing traffic and long delays reported.

Peter Walters, who lives in Pontarddulais, told the BBC: “It’s just standstill here. We’re quite far from the M4 but this happens regularly. The whole area becomes gridlocked.

“There were school buses trying to get through this morning but we could see children coming off and walking to school in Pontarddulais.”

Officers from South Wales Police were also sent to the scene.

“Motorists are advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes where possible,” a spokesperson said.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “Crews responded to a road traffic collision involving one private motor vehicle and one light goods vehicle.

“Both vehicles were well alight on crews’ arrival.”