Police plea over death of Bassett man, 47, whose car hit wild boar on M4

The incident took place at about 6.40pm on Monday between junctions 17 and 16 on the eastbound stretch of the M4.

A black Seat Ibiza was in collision with a wild boar in lane 2 of the motorway and it then collided with a white Renault articulated lorry.

A police spokesman said: "The driver of the Seat Ibiza - a 47 year-old man from Royal Wootton Bassett - sadly died at the scene. His next of kin have been informed."

The male driver of the Renault lorry received treatment at the scene for minor shoulder injuries and the road was closed for eight hours whilst the Collision Investigation Unit attended the scene.

PS Steven Love said: "This is a truly tragic incident and my thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim.

"It is quite rare for a wild boar to be on the carriageway of the motorway. It is more common for the police to receive calls involving horses or deer but each is equally dangerous to motorists.

"This was a particularly large wild animal and would have caused considerable damage to any vehicle.

"I would appeal for anyone with any information about the incident to contact us as soon as possible."

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Mark Cargill via 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where information may be left anonymously.

Mark Fletcher, a Wiltshire-based zoologist and BBC wildlife filmmaker who has worked with David Attenborough, said: "It is a really tragic accident, and I'm so sorry for the driver who was killed.

"There are a few wild boar in the Forest of Dean and it is likely that the boar killed on the M4 had travelled from there.  

"Young animals, particularly males, will leave their family and set off to find a new home, and search for a mate. They are usually shy, and keep clear of people and roads.

"It is a very unusual accident. Deer are occasionally hit on roads, but not often, and rarely with such horrific consequences."