The_Guardian_-_2016-12-29

most serious injuries happening in the middle of the pile-up.
The incident is likely to cause major disruption for many people travelling across the country after the
Christmas break, as the road connects London to Wales.
The A40 eastbound remained closed on Wednesday afternoon as investigations continued, and police
expected the rest of the carriageway to reopen at about 7.30pm. One lane of the westbound
carriageway was reopened at 2pm and police said the other lane was expected to be back in use once
the central reservation was repaired.
Gallagher said: “There was a collision towards the front of the queue and the more serious one about
halfway down.”
He said three ambulances, three rapid response vehicles, two ambulance officers and an air
ambulance car had attended the scene.
A Thames Valley police spokesman said: “Officers were called today at about 8.25am following
reports of a collision involving multiple vehicles on the A40, Witney.
“Officers are at the scene along with the fire and rescue services. A number of people are believed to
have been injured. Road closures are currently in place, and drivers are advised to avoid the area.”
Ami Gaston, a pregnant mother of two from Carterton, was in a car with her partner when she saw the
first vehicle crash. She said the accident happened about half a mile from the Witney exit, blocking
the right lane.
“A man on his own had skidded and crashed into the middle barrier. My partner was driving – we
had to swerve out of the right lane to avoid hitting him. His door was open and airbags were
released,” Gaston said.
“I phoned an ambulance but couldn’t stop. My partner wouldn’t stop because I am 20 weeks pregnant
and didn’t want to put us in danger.”
She said heavy fog meant the situation was “really dangerous”, as it was difficult to see any other car
until you were “on top of it”.
Another eyewitness arrived at the scene later and described the “carnage” as multiple cars swerved
and crashed on the busy road.
The woman, who asked not to be named, said she “luckily” saw hazard warning lights ahead as she
approached on the slip road from Carterton, and moved on to a grass verge before witnessing the
pile-up.
“I saw cars going zooming past me and trying to swerve out the way of the stationary cars but
crashing into them,” she said.
“I saw one car try to swerve in between a Mini and another car, ending up crashing into the Mini and