A 52-year-old man has died after a three-car accident on the M4. Part of the motorway remains closed on Tuesday morning (January 30) as investigation work is carried out at the scene.
Gwent Police say they received reports of an accident near Newport at around 9pm on Monday. Officers were sent to the scene and say that three cars a BMW X4, a Vauxhall Agila and a Volkswagen Polo – were involved in the crash on the eastbound carriageway between junction 28 Tredegar Park and junction 29 at Cardiff.
The driver of the Vauxhall, a 52-year-old Newport man, was pronounced dead at the scene and his next of kin have been informed and are receiving support from specialist officers.
A 34-year-old man, from Cardiff, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and remains in police custody as enquiries continue. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter.
Superintendent Mike Richards said: “While our officers continue to work at the scene of the collision, all lanes of the motorway between junctions 28 and 30 on the eastbound side are currently closed and diversions are currently in place with this incident still ongoing.
“We know that there is likely to be a high level of travel disruption so we’re asking motorists to avoid the area and follow the diversions which are in place.”
Follow the latest updates below:
07:50Cathy Owen
Plea from police to avoid area
Superintendent Mike Richards, from Gwent Police, said this morning:
While our officers continue to work at the scene of the collision, all lanes of the motorway between junctions 28 and 30 on the eastbound side are currently closed and diversions are currently in place with this incident still ongoing.
We know that there is likely to be a high level of travel disruption so we’re asking motorists to avoid the area and follow the diversions which are in place.”
07:46Key Event
Arrest in connection with the crash
Gwent Police has released more details saying that the three cars involved in the crash were a BMW X4, a Vauxhall Agila and a Volkswagen Polo.
The driver of the Vauxhall, a 52-year-old Newport man, was pronounced dead at the scene and his next of kin have been informed and are receiving support from specialist officers.
A Cardiff man, 34, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and remains in police custody as enquiries continue.
07:45Cathy Owen
Police investigation work at the scene
Gwent Police say that officers remain at the scene of the fatal crash as investigation work continues.
07:39Cathy Owen
Heavy congestion on diversion route
The diversion eastbound is using the Pentwyn Link Road, A48 out of Cardiff and through Castleton.
Pictures from the area show the level of traffic now using this route.
07:38Cathy Owen
Map shows congestion points
Latest update from Traffic Wales. At 7.35am they say that eastbound junction 30 Cardiff Gate to junction 28 Tredegar Park with delays from junction 32 Coryton.
Lane three closed travelling westbound with delays from junction 24 Coldra.
Adding: ” Delays also in the surrounding areas. Plan ahead and allow additional time for your journey if you’re travelling this morning.”
07:31Cathy Owen
Congestion is building
Traffic monitoring system Inrix is showing congestion eastbound is now back to junction 32 Coryton Interchange.
Westbound it is back to junction 26 Malpas road. There are also delays along the A48 diversion route.
07:15Key Event
Major delays building
Traffic Wales is warning of building traffic. The carriageway remains closed eastbound from junction 29 castleton to junction 28 Tredegar Park.
Lane three is also closed travelling westbound. Traffic Wales says: “Delays travelling in both directions | Please find an alternative route.”
They also issued these pictures from the traffic cameras.
06:40Cathy Owen
Closure westbound too
This is the latest update from Traffic Wales this morning.
06:37Key Event
Driver died at the scene of the crash
We have had a sad update from Gwent Police who have confirmed that a man died at the scene of the crash last night.
The statement said that police received a report of a road traffic collision on the M4, near Newport, at around 9pm on Monday 29 January.
Officers believe that three cars were involved in the eastbound crash between junction 28 Tredegar Park and junction 29 at Cardiff.
A spokesman said: “The driver of one of the cars, a man, was pronounced dead at the scene and his next of kin have been informed and are receiving support from specialist officers.”
Police say all lanes of the motorway between junctions 28 and 30 on the eastbound side are currently closed and diversions are currently in place with the incident ongoing.
06:28Cathy Owen
Cameras show M4 congestion
Cameras from the M4 appear to show traffic building in the area.
There is a diversion in place but there is some congestion around junction 30 Cardiff Gate. This is from the camera there.
06:25Cathy Owen
Diversions are in place
Traffic monitoring system Inrix is showing that traffic is coping well at the moment.
They say the M4 eastbound remains closed due to accident investigation work from juncton 30 Cardiff Gate to junction 28 Tredegar Park.
Diversion is using Pentwyn Link Road, A48 out of Cardiff and through Castleton.
06:15Cathy Owen
Carriageway has been closed most of the night
Good morning it is Tuesday morning and the M4 is still reported to be closed.
At 12.34am Traffic Wales said that the eastbound between Junction 29 Castleton and junction 28 Tredegar Park was CLOSED and emergency services were still on the scene..
The last update from the service which monitors the major roads in Wales was at 3.40am saying the road remained closed.
Just before 1am, Gwent Police said officers were starting to turn vehicles around and asked drivers to remain in their vehicles.
22:57Key Event
How things look as we sign off for the night
That’s it for our regular updates for the evening – but we’ll be back tomorrow morning to let you know the latest on this ongoing incident. As we sign off for the night, Gwent Police are saying the road is expected to be closed “for several hours.”
Traffic reporting service Inrix says the crash involved four vehicles, although this hasn’t been confirmed by any other official sources. The M4 is closed eastbound between J30 and J28, with a lane three closure on the westbound carriageway, and no access from the A48(M) onto the M4 eastbound at J29A.
Police are asking motorists to remain with their vehicles as they try to facilitate a way off the motorway. Emergency services have been contacted for comment.
22:41Key Event
Road will be closed ‘for several hours’
Replying to a member of the public on Facebook at 10.28pm, Gwent Police said: “The road is going to be closed for several hours.”
22:33Ben Summer
Request from police for people stuck in traffic after crash
Gwent Police officers have issued a request to anyone caught in the tailback behind the crash. In a statement, the force said: “Request from officers – Any people caught in the tail back are to remain with their vehicles. Police will facilitate when they can to get you off the motorway. Thank you for your patience.”
22:28Ben Summer
Update from police
In a brief update, Gwent Police added: “No access from the A48m onto the M4 eastbound at J29A. Many thanks.”
The force had already confirmed the M4 is closed eastbound between J30 and J28, with lane three closed westbound.
22:25Ben Summer
Four fire engines sent
Four fire engines and two rescue tenders were sent to the scene of the crash, a South Wales Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson confirmed. The service received the call at 9.01pm.
22:09Ben Summer
Emergency services approached for comment
We have approached Gwent Police, the Welsh Ambulance Service and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service for comment, and will provide updates as soon as we have them.
22:06Ben Summer
Traffic appears to be at a standstill
The latest image from Traffic Wales’ Pound Hill (Westbound) traffic camera, situated between junctions 28 and 29, shows traffic at a virtual standstill – with many of the same vehicles visible as half an hour ago.
21:55Ben Summer
Traffic starting to build
Google Maps data shows traffic is starting to build in the area of the crash, between Cardiff and Newport:
21:49Ben Summer
All traffic being held
All traffic in the area is being temporarily held, says traffic reporting service Inrix. An update on Inrix reads: “All traffic being temporarily held due to accident, four vehicles involved on M4 Eastbound at J30 A4232 Pentwyn Link Road (Cardiff Gate).”
21:47Ben Summer
Fire service in attendance
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service is in attendance at the incident, a spokesperson has confirmed. We will contact the service again soon for further details.
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
