Woman is killed after car she was in broke down on smart motorway: Van hit vehicle stopped on M4 leaving passenger in her 60s dead and two others injured

 A woman has been killed and two other people badly injured after the car she was in broke down on a smart motorway along the M4.

The victim, aged in her 60s, was a passenger in a black Nissan car that stalled in the fourth lane of the busy motorway near Reading, Berkshire, before being struck by a white van during rush hour on Monday morning. The motorway was closed in both directions as emergency services battled through long traffic jams to reach the scene. 

Firefighters were called to extinguish the flames on the burning vehicles with the road remaining closed for more than five hours. 

The crash took place at around 8.40am just before junction 12 and the westbound carriageway remained closed for most of the day, said police.

The woman, aged in her 60s, was a passenger in a black Nissan car that stalled in the fourth lane of the busy motorway near Reading, Berkshire, before being struck by a white van on Monday morning. Pictured: Emergency services dealing with the aftermath of the crash

Firefighters were called to extinguish the flames on the burning vehicles with the road remaining closed for more than five hours. Pictured: Fire engines and other emergency services at the scene

Thames Valley Police said the crash, which happened during the rush-hour this morning, saw the Nissan was being driven in lane four westbound involved in a crash with the van just before junction 12 of the M4, the turning to Theale, Berkshire.

Sadly, as a result of the collision, the female passenger was killed instantly. 

Two other people suffered serious injuries and were rushed to hospital. No updates have been given on their current conditions.Collision Investigation Unit said: 'Tragically, as a result of a serious collision this morning, a woman has died and two others have been seriously injured.

'The woman's next of kin have been made aware and are being offered support by specially trained officers. 

'I am appealing to anybody who was driving on the M4 this morning at around the time of the collision to please contact 101.

The M4 was closed in both directions as a result of the crash, with long tailbacks (pictured above) while the road remained shut on Monday

Police are appealing for anyone with dash cam footage or who might have seen the crash to come forward . Pictured: People standing outside their cars after the road was closed

'I would also like to hear from anybody who may have dash-cam footage to please check this, and if it has captured the collision, or the moments leading up to the collision, to please get in touch with us.' 

A spokesperson for Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, which attended the scene, said: 'Following the serious road traffic collision that our crews attended this morning on the M4, Thames Valley Police are appealing for witnesses. 

'If you have any information, please get in touch. Our thoughts and condolences are with the family and loved ones of the deceased.'

The woman who died has not yet been named by police. 

The force said on Monday that a post mortem examination will be carried out to ascertain the exact cause of her death. 

An inquest will also be opened by the Berkshire coroner.