A DRIVER whose car turned into a fireball after crashing into an M4 bridge near Hodson on Monday morning was still in a critical condition last night.

The 34-year-old man from Swindon had to be airlifted to a specialist burns unit at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford, Essex.

Last night, he was described by police as being in a stable, but critical condition having suffered 32 per cent burns to his body.

Police are still no clearer as to the cause of the accident and want to hear from any witnesses.

The driver of the silver Ford Focus Estate was first taken to the Great Western Hospital, then Frenchay in Bristol before being airlifted to Essex.

The smash happened at 11am on Monday on the eastbound carriageway about half a mile from Junction 15.

Having collided with the crash barrier, the car struck a pedestrian bridge, before rolling into a ditch where it caught fire and exploded.

Police have not released the name of the driver, who was said to be conscious and talking when the emergency services arrived. The Wiltshire Air Ambulance and fire crews from Westlea and Stratton attended the crash.

The eastbound carriageway was reduced to two lanes while collision investigators examined the scene, causing traffic jams.

All three lanes were later reopened. No one else was injured in the accident.

Earlier this month, a family of three escaped with minor injuries after their Toyota careered off the M4 and landed upside down in a ditch. The two adults and one child were heading westbound between junction 16 and 17 when the accident happened.

Anyone who saw Monday's collision or has any information should contact Swindon Traffic Police on 01793 528111.

Newsdesk