Major motorway shut for hours after being flooded with PROSECCO following lorry crash

A major motorway was forced to close for hours after a crash between two lorries left prosecco spilled across the carriageway.

The lorry, which was carrying 20 tonnes of sparkling white wine from Italy, was smashed leaving broken glass bottles and drink across the M4 in Berkshire.

A separate HGV had its empty shipping container knocked sideways in the incident, which took place between junctions 13 for the Chieveley Interchange and 14 for Hungerford at about 7.30am.

Thames Valley Police confirmed one driver is under investigation for dangerous driving, with "early indications suggesting mobile phone use at the wheel."

TRENDING

Stories

Videos

Your Say

The section of the M4 was closed while officers worked at the scene with traffic diverted through rural Berkshire.

The westbound carriageway was closed until after 3pm to allow the vehicles to be recovered and the scene to be cleared of the residue.

A spokesman from Thames Valley Police said: "One vehicle has had its (empty) shipping container knocked off.

"The second was carrying 20 tonnes of Lovello Prosecco, now spread across the carriageway, leaving significant debris and smashed glass throughout."

The spokesman continued: "A reminder: using your phone at the wheel doesn’t just risk points it risks lives. Amazingly only minor injuries received by one of the drivers!

"Not quite the roadside refreshment anyone had in mind."

National Highways, who also attended the incident, said one of the lorries had its trailer "detach from the cab".

A spokesman said: "The trailer is on top of the nearside barrier and there is a significant amount of debris in the carriageway."

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

• Major motorway closed for drivers after serious traffic accident as police launch investigation on A1
• Ipswich: HGVs risk being banned from residential streets in major crackdown
• Drivers face traffic chaos as police shut major routes after crashes and 'significant diesel spillage'

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed it sent crews from Newbury, Theale and Caversham Road to the scene.

A spokesman said: "No people were trapped but firefighters provided immediate emergency care to one person with minor injuries.

"Firefighters were on the scene for about one hour and 10 minutes before handing over to National Highways."

National Highways confirmed recovery of the vehicles was completed by 11.30am and the debris was cleared by 12.56pm.

GB News has contacted TVP for an update.

Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter