Jamie Singleton

The M4 between junctions 16 and 17 in Wiltshire fully reopened at around 9:30am on Sunday, July 19, after a serious two-vehicle crash caused approximately 12 hours of closures. The collision, involving a car and a van, required firefighters from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service to use hydraulic equipment to free one casualty. The eastbound carriageway reopened the previous night, while the westbound side remained closed overnight for police investigations.

A serious collision involving a car and a van closed the westbound M4 between junctions 16 and 17 in Wiltshire. Three fire crews attended, and firefighters used hydraulic rescue equipment to release one casualty from the car.

A private jet reportedly belonging to Bahrain’s royal family was tracked flying over Wiltshire after departing RAF Brize Norton, before turning south toward France. The flight occurred amid heightened aviation activity around RAF Brize Norton and RAF Fairford, including the recent use of Fairford by US aircraft for defensive operations and the sighting of a B-1 Lancer bomber returning from Iran.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service warned residents not to leave mirrors or curved glass ornaments on windowsills or near windows after a significant house fire. Concentrated sunlight reflected or refracted by these objects can ignite nearby flammable materials such as curtains and soft furnishings.

The Canal & River Trust has warned people to take extra care around frozen canals, rivers and towpaths during severe cold weather in Wiltshire and Swindon. Residents are advised not to walk on ice, to avoid falling into the water, and to float on their backs and call for help if they do fall in. Bystanders should remain on the towpath, call emergency services and encourage anyone in the water to float while attempting a safe rescue from the bank. Snow and ice warnings were in force across much of the county, while local sightings showed waterways freezing over.