Aerial footage shows overturned Amazon lorry blocking the M4

There are major delays as the motorway remains closed after a serious crash near Margam in Port Talbot

11:25, 25 Sep 2025Updated 11:33, 25 Sep 2025

Footage captured by a microlight aircraft shows the scene of the crash between a car and an overturned lorry on the M4 that has caused traffic chaos on Thursday morning. Police have closed the M4 between two junctions in the westbound direction. You can follow the latest updates on M4 traffic and surrounding areas here[1][2]

Officers were alerted to the crash at around 5am on Thursday morning.

They said junction 37 (Pyle) and junction 38 (Margam) will be closed in both directions for some time to allow emergency services access to the road.

One lane has since reopened in the eastbound direction. For the biggest stories in Wales first, sign up to our daily newsletter[3] here

Miraculously there were no serious injuries, and the Ambulance Service confirmed that nobody needed hospital treatment.

A spokesperson for South Wales Police[4] said: "Officers were called to a report of a collision involving a lorry and a car on the M4 westbound between junction 37 and 38 at around 4.40am today (September 25).

"The road was temporarily closed in both directions, and the eastbound carriageway has now reopened. Police remain at the scene while recovery takes place."

The incident has left traffic in "total chaos" with delays of around 73 minutes during rush hour.

Rhys Watkins, Independent Councillor for Pyle Community Council said: "The traffic chaos in Pyle could have been prevented."

"Once again, our community is at a complete standstill.

With an incident on the M4, all the diverted traffic has come through Pyle, and with the ongoing roadworks, the lights are still stuck on automatic timings.

"Here's the real frustration: a simple condition could have been added to the permit requiring manual control of the lights at peak times.

"That would have helped keep traffic moving and avoided the gridlock we're all facing today.

"Because that condition wasn't included when the permit was granted, we're left to pay the price, with fellow residents, businesses, and commuters alike.

"As both a local councillor and a resident, I see first-hand just how much this affects our community, and it isn't right.

"This situation shows why permits need to be properly thought through, with safeguards in place to protect our communities."

Drivers stuck directly behind the crash on the M4 at Junction 37 Westbound have been there for hours with their engines turned off.

Those able to be diverted are being redirected to the A48, where there is also standstill traffic due to temporary traffic lights as part of ongoing road works.

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References

1. ^ the M4 (www.walesonline.co.uk)
2. ^ the latest updates on M4 traffic and surrounding areas here (www.walesonline.co.uk)
3. ^ sign up to our daily newsletter (www.walesonline.co.uk)
4. ^ South Wales Police (www.walesonline.co.uk)
5. ^ our WhatsApp community here (chat.whatsapp.com)
6. ^ Privacy Notice (www.reachplc.com)