Two people have died and three others have been seriously injured in two separate road traffic collisions on the M4 in Wiltshire in the early hours of this morning.
The M4 has been closed in both directions between junction 17 and 18 whilst forensic collision investigators work to establish the circumstances surrounding the fatal crashes near Chippenham.
At around 1.30am, one car was involved in a collision and overturned on the eastbound carriageway. One man was pronounced dead at the scene, while another man suffered life-threatening head injuries and was taken to Southmead Hospital’s Major Trauma Centre in Bristol.
Two hours later – at around 3.30am – there was a second collision in the same location, but westbound, involving two articulated lorries, a car and a van. One man was pronounced dead at the scene, while two men were also taken to Southmead Hospital.
One of the vehicles was carrying propane gas canisters which were leaking. Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to make safe.
Supt Phil Staynings said: “We had to respond to two truly tragic incidents this morning and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victims.
“This is a complex incident that put huge pressure on all of the emergency services this morning and will continue to take a considerable amount of time to investigate thoroughly.
“We appreciate the public’s patience on this regarding the closure of the M4 and we are working closely with Highways England to ensure we can have the road back open when it is appropriate to do so.
“I would like to take this chance to appeal to anyone who may have witnessed this incident or may have been driving along this stretch of M4 at the same time and could have dash cam footage that could prove helpful to our investigations to please contact us on 101.”
Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to contact Wiltshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be left anonymously.
