Dozens hurt in coach and lorry smash on M4 (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Dozens hurt in coach and lorry smash on M4

Ref. 29221-03NEARLY 30 people were taken to hospital after a coach collided with a lorry on the M4 just outside Swindon.

A 200m stretch of two eastbound lanes was closed for about four hours last night following the crash, a mile east of junction 15, at 7.50pm.

The AA advised drivers to avoid the motorway and said there were long delays.

The 42-year-old driver of the National Express number 40 coach, which was travelling from Bristol to London, was cut free by firefighters from the cab of the coach.

Police said the man, who is from Bristol, was trapped and suffered serious injuries to his lower legs.

The passengers were said to have suffered mainly cuts and grazes, with shock and whiplash.

In total, 28 people from the coach were treated at the Great Western Hospital, which put its major incident plan into operation and called in extra staff. The coach driver and one other passenger were admitted but the rest were discharged after treatment.

The lorry driver, who was from Hull, was not seriously injured. He was transporting catalogues from Bristol to Europe in the Bowker lorry, a firm which publishes bibliographic and library reference databases and books.

PC Chris Palframan, of Westlea traffic department, said: "It was quite a serious crash.

"It looks like the coach went into the back of the lorry. As yet we don't know how fast they were travelling or why it occurred."

He said the lorry driver had tested negative for drink driving.

The coach driver was not breathalysed at the scene due to the extent of his injuries, although police do not suspect he was driving under the influence of alcohol.

Any witnesses should call Swindon traffic police on 01793 528111.