1991 M4 motorway crash

Multi-vehicle collision in Berkshire, England June 2017 June 2017 July 2026__NOTOC__ 1991 M4 crash M4 between junctions 14 and 15, near Lambourn, Berkshire 25 10 51 vehicles destroyed or damaged; road surface scorched; central reservation damaged Berkshire 240 center none Location in Berkshire and England M4 motorway crash 51.4696 -1.5209 On 13 March 1991, a multiple-vehicle collision occurred during foggy conditions on the eastbound carriageway of the M4 motorway near Hungerford, Berkshire, between the Membury service station and junction 14. Ten people were killed in the pile-up, which involved 51 vehicles, making it one of the deadliest crashes in the history of Britain's motorway network.July 2026 Circumstances A van driver claimed something flew up in front of him, believed to be jackdaws, startling him and causing him to skid into the central reservation, but it was later reported that he fell asleep at the wheel. A car travelling behind the van changed lanes to avoid contact, but other vehicles behind, which were travelling at speeds averaging 70 miles per hour, failed to avoid the crashed van and skidded into the other lanes of the carriageway. Others took evasive action by driving onto the hard shoulder and up the sides of the cutting. An articulated lorry then jack-knifed across all three lanes of the eastbound carriageway. One driver – Alan Bateman – freed himself from his car and ran back down the central reservation to warn approaching motorists, but was ignored or hooted by some drivers as they continued towards the crash.http://www.htb.org.uk/one-year-bible/wednesday-4th-november-day-308 Wednesday, 4th November (Day 308) Gumbel Nicky Holy Trinity Brompton 4 November 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20091109004655/http://www.htb.org.uk/one-year-bible/wednesday-4th-november-day-308 9 November 2009 25 August 2016 In a period of 19 seconds, 51 vehicles became involved in a pile-up. Car fuel exploded along with the highly combustible material being carried in one of the vans (possibly deodorantJuly 2026) and the resultant series of explosions closed the carriageway for four daysJuly 2026 as the charred wrecks were removed and the road surface replaced. Ten people were killed and 25 others were injured, making it one of the worst pile-ups on a motorway in Britain.July 2026 There were three minor collisions caused by distracted drivers on the opposite carriageway of the motorway. It was noted at the time that there were "nearly as many" people killed and injured in the crash than in the British Army from enemy fire in the Gulf War.https://www.newscientist.com/article/1822503-ariadne-90/ Ariadne - Mid-March crash on the M4 New Scientist 30 March 1991 31 July 2026 livehttps://www.britishlegion.org.uk/stories/the-gulf-war The Gulf War 20 February 2020 The Royal British Legion In parliament, MP Michael McNair-Wilson asked why the Thames Valley and Wiltshire police forces had not activated the motorway hazard lights to warn drivers of the patchy fog, but the under-secretary for transport, Christopher Chope, stated that these signs were only used for hazards not readily apparent to drivers and not for adverse weather conditions.https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1991/mar/14/accident-m4 Accident (M4) Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) 14 March 1991 25 August 2016 The crash led to warning signals being introduced on British motorways to warn drivers of fog.July 2026 Tribute The accident took place at the time of year when daffodils bloom in Southern England. After the accident, some police officers who attended the scene planted daffodil bulbs in the bank on the side of the road next to the accident. For many years in the middle of March, the site was marked by a patch of yellow.July 2026 See also 1993 M40 minibus crash 1997 M42 motorway crash 2011 M5 motorway crash 2017 M1 motorway crash References External links http://www.ukweatherworld.co.uk/forum/index.php?/topic/83589-a-tragedy-leads-to-motorway-hazard-signs-warning-of-adverse-weather/ A tragedy leads to motorway hazard signs warning of adverse weather Ukweatherworld 15 June 2013 25 August 2016 http://www.ovguide.com/1991-m4-motorway-crash-9202a8c04000641f8000000016b2e770# 1991 M4 Motorway Crash Video - Event Coverage and Interviews Ovguide.com 25 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160828143548/http://www.ovguide.com/1991-m4-motorway-crash-9202a8c04000641f8000000016b2e770 28 August 2016 dead 51.4696 N 1.5209 W type:event_region:GB title Category:Road incidents in England M4 Motorway Crash, 1991 Category:1991 disasters in the United Kingdom M4 Motorway Crash, 1991 Category:1990s in Berkshire Category:Road incidents involving fog Category:Disasters in Berkshire Category:M4 motorway Category:March 1991 in the United Kingdom Category:Lambourn