Five people have died after a car which had been pursued by police crashed head on with another vehicle on the M4.
Five have died after a car which had earlier been pursued by police crashed head on with another vehicle on the M4.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has been called to investigate the crash which happened at 0320 BST at Newport.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has been called to investigate the crash which happened at 0320 BST at Newport.
Police said officers stopped following the car when it turned onto the motorway in the wrong direction.
Police said officers stopped following the car when it turned onto the motorway in the wrong direction.
Three men in one car died at the scene and a fourth is critical. A couple in the second car also died.
Three men died at the scene and a fourth is critical. A couple in the second car also died.
The collision between a red Ford Mondeo and a red Volvo 940 happened on the eastbound carriageway between junctions 25 and 24.
The collision between a red Ford Mondeo and a red Volvo 940 happened on the eastbound carriageway between junctions 25 and 24.
Gwent Police have said the M4 will be closed for some time
Gwent Police have said the M4 will be closed for some time
Earlier on Monday, the IPCC confirmed that it had been asked to carry out an independent investigation.
Earlier on Monday, the IPCC confirmed that it had been asked to carry out an independent investigation.
IPCC Commissioner Tom Davies said: "It has emerged that at around 0300 this morning a marked police vehicle had reason to try and stop a car containing four male occupants.
IPCC Commissioner Tom Davies said: "It has emerged that at around 0300 this morning a marked police vehicle had reason to try and stop a car containing four male occupants.
"Early indications are that the vehicle being pursued took a turn onto the motorway in the wrong direction.
"Early indications are that the vehicle being pursued took a turn onto the motorway in the wrong direction.
"The police vehicle did not follow it. Some one-and-a-half miles down the motorway, the fatal collision occurred."
"The police vehicle did not follow it. Some one-and-a-half miles down the motorway, the fatal collision occurred."
A spokesman for Gwent Police said the identification of those killed is "currently being ascertained and their families informed".
A spokesman for Gwent Police said the identification of those killed is "currently being ascertained and their families informed".
The westbound carriage of the motorway was reopened just after 1200 BST but the eastbound carriageway remains closed from junction 24 to 28.
The westbound carriage of the motorway was reopened just after 1200 BST but the eastbound carriageway remains closed from junction 24 to 28.
Eastbound traffic is being diverted onto the distributor road at junction 28.
Eastbound traffic is being diverted onto the distributor road at junction 28.
Monday morning rush hour traffic was tailing back for up to seven miles at one point with all main roads across south east Wales heavily congested.
Monday morning rush hour traffic was tailing back for up to seven miles at one point with all main roads across south east Wales heavily congested.
Last month the M4 was closed around Newport for many hours after a lorry driver died in an accident at Tredegar Park.
Last month the M4 was closed around Newport for many hours after a lorry driver died in an accident at Tredegar Park.
At their worst, tailbacks for drivers after that crash reached 10-miles.Are you caught up in the accident? Please send us your comments using the form below.
At their worst, tailbacks for drivers after that crash reached 10-miles.Are you caught up in the accident? Please send us your comments using the form below.
