Two women have been killed after a lorry overturned and crushed a car on the M4.
999 crews rushed to reports of a multi-vehicle road traffic collision on the motorway eastbound between junctions 18 (Bath) and 17 (Chippenham) shortly after 9am today (Friday).
A heavy goods vehicle overturned and crushed a car as Storm Babet battered the county with heavy rain, causing difficult driving conditions.
Two women within the car were pronounced dead at the scene and specialist officers have informed their next of kin.
Three other vehicles – a Tesla, a Mini and a National Highways vehicle – were also involved.
A significant number of resources were sent to the scene – including eight fire appliances, four ambulances and a Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) ambulance crew.
Great Western Air Ambulance and Wiltshire Air Ambulance were also in attendance, but responding in rapid response cars. Various other ambulance officers were also at the incident.
Wiltshire Police are leading a complex forensic collision investigation.
A spokesperson for the force said: “Our thoughts are with their families at this difficult time.
“Two other people involved in the collision sustained minor injuries and were treated by paramedics at the scene.
“A full closure was put in place on the M4 at junction 18 eastbound and junction 17 westbound to allow emergency services to carry out recovery and investigative work.
“One lane on the westbound carriageway has since reopened.”
Roads Policing Unit A/Insp Will Ayres said: “Due to the seriousness of the collision and the vehicles involved, the recovery work and investigation at the scene is likely to take a significant time and therefore the eastbound side of the motorway will remain closed well in to this evening.
“We have opened one lane of the westbound carriageway, however there are currently a number of emergency service vehicles still occupying that carriageway. Once these are cleared we will fully reopen this side of the motorway.”
Any witnesses who have not already been identified or spoken to by officers, should call 101 and quote log number 93 of today (20 October).
