POLICE found themselves called to an accident involving one of their own vans.

A fatal accident was narrowly averted when a tyre blew on a white van travelling eastbound between junctions 17 and 16 of the M4 at around 11am yesterday.

The driver lost control of the van and ploughed into the back of an Avon and Somerset police van, containing four officers.

The white van then smashed into the central reservation. Both vans were travelling at around 60mph.

The officers, who sustained minor whiplash injuries, were on their way to a training day in Wootton Bassett.

The police van was later driven away. The driver of the white van and his passenger escaped unhurt.

Lane three of the eastbound carriageway was closed while police towed away the white van.

Minor disruption was also caused to traffic travelling westbound.

Sgt Richard Moorhouse, of Swindon traffic police, said the accident could have been a lot worse.

"Fortunately the barrier did its job," he said.

"They had a very lucky escape."