On this day in 1991, ten people were killed and 25 badly injured in what has gone down in history as one of Britain’s worst ever road accidents.

The multi-vehicle pile-up, involving over 50 vehicles, occurred in foggy conditions on the eastbound carriageway of the M4 motorway near Hungerford after a van driver, reportedly asleep at the wheel, careered into the central reservation during morning rush hour.

In the ensuing carnage, over 50 vehicles - including a lorry which jack-knifed - became involved in the pile-up within a period of just 19 seconds, leaving a trail of combustible material amongst the wreckage.

Due to damage caused by a series of subsequent explosions, the M4 was closed for four days as wreckage was removed and the road surface was replaced.

The crash led to warning signals being introduced on British motorways as a safety procedure to alert drivers of fog.

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