Child killed in M4 horror crash that left motorway closed for hours

A child has died after a , while other passengers were rushed to hospital after sustaining serious injuries. Police said it was a single vehicle collision on the and that no arrests have been made.

The incident led to a section of the being closed in both directions near Reading, Berkshire, causing long delays. Thames Valley Police said its thoughts are with the child's family and that they are receiving support. Thames Valley Roads Policing said in a statement: "The M4 eastbound exit slip road onto the A329M at Junction 10 remains closed as we deal with a major incident. Officers remain at the scene after a minibus overturned.

"This was a single vehicle collision and no arrests have been made.

"Sadly, a child has died in the collision and our thoughts remain with their family who are being supported at this extremely difficult time.

"Other passengers sustained serious injuries, requiring hospital treatment.

"We would ask motorists to continue to avoid the area as the closure is likely to be in place for the foreseeable future and would like thank them for their patience."

An air ambulance, six ambulances and five critical care units were sent to the scene.

A Thames Valley Air Ambulance spokesperson said earlier: "We can confirm that our helicopter and a critical care response vehicle were dispatched to provide advanced critical care at an incident on the M4 today."

Crews from Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue were also in attendance.

National Highways said the M4 had been closed eastbound between junctions 11 and 10 and westbound between junctions 8/9 and 11, with traffic diversions put in place.

The section of the motorway that had been shut reopened after about three hours but the slip road remains closed.