GAZETTE & HERALD: A 15-YEAR-OLD boy from Radstock was killed in an accident on the M4 between Chippenham and Bath on Saturday. The motorway was closed in both directions for several hours.

A police spokesman said a second crash happened within 30 minutes of the first. It was caused by a driver looking at the scene of the first crash.

The first accident at 2.37pm involved a blue Volvo estate and a silver Citroen Saxo. One person was trapped. Two Chippenham fire appliances attended the crash as well as the emergency support unit. They were supported by crews from Bath.

A team of firefighters cut a survivor and the dead victim out of the wreckage.

Half an hour later, at 3.08pm, a collision occurred between a white lorry and two cars on the westbound road only yards away from the first incident, leaving one person with serious injuries.

Firefighters had to cut six people free from the wreckage.

Heavy rain is thought to have caused poor visibility in the area at the time. Police said the accidents stretched the resources of the emergency services for a number of hours.

They caused huge tailbacks, and police urged frustrated motorists caught up in the eastbound gridlock to stay in their cars.

The eastbound carriageway was completely closed for five hours but two lanes of the westbound carriageway had two lanes after two hours.

The police are appealing for witnesses to both accidents. Contact Swindon Traffic Department (01793) 528111.