Motorway reopens after two serious crashes

1 hour agoSarah Turnnidge

BBC News, Bristol

BBC Traffic at a standstill on a dark three-lane road./ppThere is a mix of cars and lorries, lots with their red brake lights on.

BBC

One person has been taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries after two serious crashes closed a motorway for several hours.

Traffic on the M4 was brought to a standstill on Thursday night after the collisions [1]between J17 for Chippenham and J18 for Bath.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) said they were called at 19:43 GMT to a crash between a van and a car, with four crews attending the scene.

National Highways first warned of the road being closed at around 20:30 GMT, with all lanes only fully reopening around 05:00 on Friday.

Wiltshire Police confirmed one person had been taken to hospital in a life-threatening condition as a result of a crash.

In a statement DWFRS said firefighters "supported emergency service partners with casualty care and scene safety", before being stood down at 22:34.

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References

^ after the collisions (www.bbc.co.uk)