Three new coaches and car in motorway pile-up (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Three new coaches and car in motorway pile-up

TRAFFIC on the M4 came to a standstill when three new coaches and a car were involved in a collision.

Junction 15, the Swindon East exit, was closed and motorists were diverted following the accident, which happened two miles west of Membury Services at 10.45am yesterday.

All three coaches belonged to the same firm CIE Tours.

They had just been picked up from the supplier and were being driven to the firm's headquarters in Surrey.

None of the coaches, which were travelling in the eastbound carriageway, were carrying passengers.

One driver and a male co-driver had to be cut from the wreckage of one coach and were taken to the Great Western Hospital.

The driver suffered minor head injuries, while his co-driver was treated for a broken leg.

Another coach driver and the driver of the car, a Nissan Micra, were treated for minor injuries.

Police spokeswoman Alvina Kumar said the accident happened after the driver leading the convoy braked suddenly.

All three carriageways were blocked for an hour, causing tailbacks. Police initially opened one lane before the motorway was fully reopened again at 12.45pm.

In 2002 the M4 was declared one of the safest roads in Europe, despite a string of accidents and five deaths that year alone.

Witnesses to the crash should call Swindon police on 01793 528111.