Man killed in M4 crash involving car and lorry

Tributes have been paid to a man who died in an M4 crash that saw the motorway closed for more than 15 hours.^[1] The family of Stephen Abbott, 56, say he will be "greatly missed by his family, friends and colleagues".

The crash involving a car and a lorry happened on the M4^[2] between Hendy and Pont Abraham on Monday, March 18. Mr Abbott had worked with the Bar 44 group for more than 20 years in Cowbridge and Cardiff^[3], and had been brought up in Porthcawl^[4]. He lived in the Bridgend^[5] area before moving to Carmarthenshire^[6].

In a statement issued through Dyfed Powys Powys Police his family said: "Steve was a larger than life character who was well known locally and through his work with the Bar 44 group, for over 20 years in Cowbridge and latterly in Parador, Cardiff. Brought up in Porthcawl, he lived in the Bridgend area before moving to Carmarthenshire.

“All his family will miss him greatly, as will his friends and colleagues. His sudden death has left us heartbroken, and we ask that anyone who can help the police with their enquires please do so." Mr Abbott's family is being supported by specialist officers and has requested privacy at this difficult time. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter^[9]

One week on, police are continuing to conduct enquiries into the collision, which happened at about 11.20pm on Monday, 18 March 2024. They are still appealing for information and have shared Mr Abbott's movements in the lead-up to the collision, which they hope may bring forward new witnesses.

It is known that Mr Abbott left his home address in the Gorslas area in his car, a blue/grey Kia Ceed, at around 9.45pm on Monday, 18 March. He travelled along the M4 (eastbound) and then through Hendy, Pontarddulais, and Pontlliw, before turning around and travelling back to Pont Abraham to re-join the M4 (eastbound), before colliding with a stationary lorry.

If you have any information that could help enquiries, call Dyfed Powys Police on 101 or contact them here quote ref: DP-20240318-429. Join our WhatsApp news community here^[11] for the latest breaking news^[10]

References

1. ^{^} closed for more than 15 hours. (www.walesonline.co.uk)
2. ^{^} the M4 (www.walesonline.co.uk)
3. ^{^} Cardiff (www.walesonline.co.uk)
4. ^{^} Porthcawl (www.walesonline.co.uk)
5. ^{^} Bridgend (www.walesonline.co.uk)
6. ^{^} Carmarthenshire (www.walesonline.co.uk)
7. ^{^} Carol Vorderman in tears during candid Princess of Wales cancer phone-in (www.walesonline.co.uk)
8. ^{^} Viewers in tears at Owen Farrell dressing room video as special guest shows up (www.walesonline.co.uk)
9. ^{^} For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter (www.walesonline.co.uk)
10. ^{^} here (|%20https)
11. ^{^} Join our WhatsApp news community here (www.walesonline.co.uk)