26/08/2008

Traffic Havoc As M4 Pileup Injures 13

Up to 13 people have been injured in an early morning motorway pile-up, according to police.

The accident involved two lorries, an empty coach and four cars on the M4 motorway in Wiltshire at about 1.45am today, Tuesday.

One of the casualties is understood to be seriously hurt.

The rest of the injured people were taken to Frenchay Hospital near Bristol and Great Western Hospital in Swindon.

The eastbound carriageway was closed in both directions between junctions 17 and 18 near Leigh Delamere Services.

A spokesman from Wiltshire Police said "a number of people have sustained injuries and both carriageways have been closed".

He added that the motorway is not expected to be reopened until noon due to damage caused to the central reservation and the need to remove heavy vehicles from the carriageways.

It is believed that the trailer unit of one of the lorries had crossed the central reservation crashing into the cars.

It is reported that one of the drivers, who was badly injured, was trapped in his vehicle for more than two hours.

Thermal imaging cameras were deployed to detect any further casualties and platforms were erected to access those trapped in the wreckage of larger vehicles.

Motorists are being warned to expect delays.

"Diversions have been put in place but heavy congestion is expected," the Wiltshire Police spokesman said.

(DS)

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