Seventeen Hours of Gridlock After 44-Ton Lorry Blows Out on M4 Near Maidenhead
The M4 motorway near junctions 8, 9 and 10 in Berkshire has been shut down until tomorrow after a 44-tonne lorry overturned, sparking chaos for thousands of motorists — including Olympic cycling legend Sir Bradley Wiggins, who got caught in the massive tailbacks.
Major Incident Brings Motorway to Standstill
The drama kicked off just before 1pm on Wednesday when emergency crews raced to the scene. Firefighters from Slough, Maidenhead, and nearby stations tackled a fire on the lorry to stop it spreading to its load of bio mass. The lorry driver was airlifted to John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford with serious injuries.
Traffic Nightmare: Jams Stretch for 18 Miles
Police and Highways England faced a huge challenge managing traffic, with queues stretching 18 miles long on both the westbound and eastbound carriageways. Contractors are working around the clock to recover the overturned lorry and repair damaged barriers.
Road Repairs to Continue Through The Night
- Three westbound lanes will be resurfaced.
- About 300 metres of central reservation was damaged.
- Barrier replacement, lamppost repairs, and resurfacing won’t start until police complete their investigation.
The M4 is not expected to reopen until at least 7am on Thursday, meaning drivers will face continued disruption. Authorities are urging motorists to avoid the area if possible.
Stay tuned for updates as emergency crews rush to clear the motorway and get traffic moving again.
