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Appeal after five die in M4 crash M4 crash survivor still critical
(about 3 hours later)
Officials investigating a head-on crash near Newport in which five people died have appealed for witnesses. An 18-year-old man remains critically ill following a head-on crash on the M4 at Newport in which five other people were killed.
Police had been following one of the cars containing four men but said they stopped when it turned onto the M4 in the wrong direction. The collision at 0320 BST on Monday happened minutes after police broke off pursuit of the Ford Mondeo he was travelling in.
Three died when it collided with a second car at around 0320 BST on Monday, while a fourth is critical. A couple in the other car also died. Police and investigators have appealed for witnesses to the incident.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating. Meanwhile, a report is due to be published into how the police handle car pursuits.
An 18-year-old who was one of the four men travelling in a red Ford Mondeo suffered multiple fractures and is at the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport. The teenager, the only survivor of the collision, has not yet been named. He is being treated at the Royal Gwent Hospital where he is critical but stable.
It has been reported in Ireland that the couple travelling in the red Volvo 940 were in their 60s and came originally from County Mayo in the Irish Republic, but had been living in England. He was seriously injured when the Ford Mondeo containing four young men - said to have lived in the Maindee and Duffryn areas of Newport - hit a Volvo in which a retired couple were travelling.
The identities of the five who died have not yet been released
It has been reported in Ireland that the couple travelling in the Volvo 940 were in their 60s and came originally from County Mayo in the Irish Republic. It is thought were driving home after getting off the Rosslare to Fishguard ferry. Hours after the crash, it emerged that police had tried to stop the Mondeo at nearby Penhow but abandoned any pursuit when the vehicle turned onto the M4 - in the wrong direction.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating the collision.
The motorway was closed - in both directions - for some hours as investigators examined the crash scene on the eastbound carriageway between junctions 25 and 24.
Monday morning rush hour traffic tailed back for up to seven miles with all main roads across south east Wales heavily congested.
Last month, tail backs reached 10 miles after the M4 was closed following a crash involving a lorry near Tredegar Park, Newport.
To lose five people so needlessly is absolutely devastating Supt Roger MorganTo lose five people so needlessly is absolutely devastating Supt Roger Morgan
It is believed they had been to Ireland to visit family and were driving home after getting off the Rosslare to Fishguard ferry when the crash happened.
Emergency services closed the motorway after the crash which happened on the eastbound carriageway between junctions 25 and 24.
The westbound carriageway was reopened at about midday and the eastbound side about an hour later.
Supt Roger Morgan from Gwent Police said the road had to be closed for safety reasons after the "horrendous accident".Supt Roger Morgan from Gwent Police said the road had to be closed for safety reasons after the "horrendous accident".
"To lose five people so needlessly is absolutely devastating, especially for the families and those who were close to them," he said."To lose five people so needlessly is absolutely devastating, especially for the families and those who were close to them," he said.
Motorists faced tail backs of up to seven miles
"Much comment has been made about closing the opposite carriageway," he said."Much comment has been made about closing the opposite carriageway," he said.
"Our experience tells us that when you're working at an incident like that on the motorway that people in the opposite carriageway slow down."Our experience tells us that when you're working at an incident like that on the motorway that people in the opposite carriageway slow down.
"The result can be further collision, further misery and further hold-ups in the long-run.""The result can be further collision, further misery and further hold-ups in the long-run."
Sometime before the crash police said there had been an "incident" at nearby Penhow, when police tried to stop a car. Meanwhile, later on Tuesday, the IPCC is due to publish a report which is expected to say that there is relatively little research into police road traffic.
A Gwent Police spokeswoman said: "The force had cause to attempt to stop a vehicle on the A48, after it was made aware of suspicious activity. The police watchdog continues to appeal for information from anyone who saw a red Ford Mondeo travelling the wrong direction on the eastbound carriageway of the M4 near the Christchurch Road motorway bridge at around 0315 BST.
"A short pursuit ensued and, as confirmed in the IPCC's earlier press release, when the other vehicle entered the M4 in the wrong direction, the Gwent Police traffic car halted this pursuit." Witnesses are asked to call free phone 0800 096 9076 or email m4newport_incident@ipcc.gov.uk
Monday morning rush hour traffic tailed back for up to seven miles with all main roads across south east Wales heavily congested.
Last month, tail backs reached 10 miles after the M4 was closed following a crash involving a lorry near Tredegar Park, Newport.
'Warning system'
Patrick Long, of Newport and Gwent Chamber of Commerce, said the tragedy on Monday had had an impact on the economy of the area.
"It's affected everybody, certainly all the businesses here," he said.
Mr Long suggested the local authority, chamber of commerce and police should create an "early warning system" to warn people of delays and ease congestion on the roads.
The IPCC appealed for information from anyone who saw a red Ford Mondeo travelling the wrong direction on the eastbound carriageway of the M4 near the Christchurch Road motorway bridge at around 0315 BST.
Witnesses are asked to call freephone 0800 096 9076 or email m4newport_incident@ipcc.gov.uk