Lorry driver killed on M4 was Beenham man

Man killed in M4 multi-vehicle crash yesterday (Wednesday) was from Beenham, police confirm

THE man killed in multi-vehicle crash which wreaked havoc on the M4 near Theale yesterday (Wednesday) was from Beenham, police have confirmed.

The man, who has not been named, was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics after a collision between the skip-loader he was driving, an articulated lorry, a black Kia Picanto, and a grey Audi A6 on the eastbound carriageway near Junction 12.

The incident occurred at about 12.15pm and the eastbound stretch and Junction 12 entry-slip were closed immediately as police, ambulance, fire, air ambulance and heavy rescue unit crews swamped the scene to clear up the debris.

Followers of the Newbury Weekly News Twitter account @newburytoday, who were sitting in the stationary traffic, said that up to 20 emergency services vehicles could be counted at the crash site in the aftermath.

Other users of the social networking site said that they had been sitting stationary in their vehicles for almost two hours.

The driver of the Kia, thought to be an elderly man, was taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, as a precaution.

No one else involved in the collision required hospital treatment.

The carriageway remained closed throughout the afternoon so that the cause of the accident could be investigated and the vehicles involved could be recovered.

Lane three and the Junction 12 entry-slip road were re-opened at around 2pm and Highways officers confirmed all lanes were re-opened at 6.20pm.

At 4pm yesterday the M4 near the scene was still clogged with vehicles as traffic tailed back to Junction 13 at Chieveley and the westbound carriageway was also experiencing delays as drivers slowed down to look.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or has any information which may help with the investigation is asked to contact Sgt Steve Blackburn on 0845 8505505 or anonymously on 0800 555111.