Chaos on M4 as 20 tonnes of prosecco flows down the motorway in huge lorry crash
The highway was closed for more than seven hours after a truck crashed into it, spilling 20 tonnes of proseccon onto the road.
The ‘major disruption’ was previously caused at junctions 13 and 14 of the M4 when a lorry carrying Lovelli soda wine collided with another HGV whose shipping container overturned.
Prosecco boxes from one of the trucks spilled onto the main road, causing a ‘significant amount of debris’ and ‘broken glass’, while the other truck’s empty container was dislodged, the Thames Valley Police road policing team said on social media.
A driver is under investigation for dangerous driving following a collision between junctions 13 and 14 near Newbury and Hungerford, Berkshire, with initial indications he was using a mobile phone at the wheel.
Police added that ‘surprisingly’ only one person suffered minor injuries.
‘This wasn’t the roadside refreshment anyone had in mind,’ the police said.
National Highways were alerted to the incident at 7.37am.
It was stated that the recovery of the vehicles was completed as of 11.30, and the wreckage was cleared as of 12.56.
The motorway was closed for more than seven hours after a truck crashed into the road, spilling 20 tonnes of proseccon onto the road.
Prosecco cans spilled onto the main road from one of the lorries, leaving ‘significant debris’ and ‘completely broken glass’
The ‘major disruption’ had previously occurred at junctions 13 and 14 of the M4 when a lorry carrying Lovelli soda wine collided with another HGV whose shipping container overturned.
Lovelli Prosecco caused ‘major disruption’ on the M4 motorway after a lorry carrying 20 tonnes of Italian sparkling wine collided with another HGV
The M4 reopened at 14.20 after being temporarily closed, at which time diversion routes were established.
A post on Facebook by TVP’s Road Policing team said: ‘Two HGVs collided between Junction 13 and 14, causing major disruption.
‘The (empty) shipping container of a vehicle overturned. The second was carrying 20 tons of Lovello Prosecco; It had now spread across the highway, leaving a significant amount of debris and broken glass everywhere.
‘A driver is under investigation for dangerous driving, initial indications are that he was using a mobile phone at the wheel.
‘The rescue will be long and complex: one truck has been partially lifted from the ground; the container is completely out of the other; extensive permitting required.
‘The M4 is currently closed for rescue – diversion routes.
‘Just a reminder: Using your phone at the wheel not only puts points at risk, it also puts lives at risk. Surprisingly, only one of the drivers was slightly injured!
‘Not quite the roadside drink anyone had in mind!’
