A34 crash leaves 4 dead
Eight vehicles were involved in an accident on the A34, north of Newbury, during rush hour on Wednesday 10 August, 2016. Geoff Woade/Twitter

A man has been arrested after four people died and several more were injured in an accident involving eight vehicles on the A34 on Wednesday, 10 August.

Four cars and four lorries were involved in the accident, which happened during rush hour on the northbound stretch of the carriageway, after the East Isley turn-off, north of Newbury, at around 5pm GMT.

Six ambulances attended the scene. One man was flown by air ambulance to the John Radcliffe Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Two people were taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital by land ambulance with minor injuries, while a further nine people sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and is currently held in police custody.

Senior investigating officer, Inspector Andy Storey, from the Joint Operations Unit for Roads Policing, based at Three Mile Cross, has appealed for witnesses to come forward. "I would like to appeal to anyone who witnessed the collision, including anyone travelling on the southbound carriageway who saw anything they believe is significant, to contact police."

The northbound carriageway of the A34, between Chieveley at J3 of the M4 and the West Ilsley junction, is currently closed, according to a report by Sky News.

A Thames Valley Police spokesman advised motorists to avoid the area while the emergency services are at the scene of the collision.'

Contact Thames Valley Police on 101 quoting URN 1109 10/8