M4 crash: Car bursts into fireball after flipping onto back as motorway shut
Car bursts into fireball after flipping onto back as motorway shut
Wiltshire999s
A car has burst into flames after flipping over following a horror crash on the M4.
Emergency services rushed to the scene just before the slip-road at Junction 17 eastbound at around 10pm on Sunday.
Multiple vehicles were involved in the incident, with one overturning and catching fire.
One person was freed from a burning vehicle as members of the public sprung into action before emergency services arrived.
A stock image of traffic on the M4
PA
Ambulances, fire engines and as many as 10 police vehicles were later on hand to deal with the incident.
Plumes of smoke were seen soaring into the night’s sky as traffic in both directions was brought to a standstill.
Some motorists were also seen opening their car doors to assess the situation.
A helicopter can be seen on the tarmac as emergency services pulled out all the stops to respond to the incident.
One casualty was taken to hospital by land ambulance.
The person is not believed to have sustained life-changing or life-threatening injuries.
Wiltshire Police were in attendance for sometime amid a road closure following the incident.
A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police said: “Emergency services are currently in attendance at a serious collision on the M4 near to Leigh Delamere services.
A separate image of the M4 motorway
PA
“As a result, a full closure is in place on the M4 while the incident is dealt with and to enable the air ambulance to land on the carriageway.”
Motorists caught up in the resulting traffic voiced concern about the situation on social media.
Joanne Venton said: “Sat just behind it been here for half an hour so far and don't expect to be going anywhere anytime soon, the amount of emergency service is scary hope all involved make a full recovery.
“People walking down to be nosey stay in your cars.”
However, National Highways: South West confirmed the road reopened shortly after midnight.