A MOTORIST escaped death by inches after her car was impaled on a fence post after falling 50 metres down an embankment on the M4.

The woman was driving near Swindon between junctions 16 and 17 of the M4 when her car left the road. It smashed through a fence and a large post crashed through the windscreen, missing her by inches.

The car stopped on its side and was suspended above a ditch by the fencepost.

Firefighters constructed a gangway to get to the car, which was held in place with ropes attached to fire engines to secure it. They cut the woman free by removing the roof of the vehicle while she was still in her seat belt.

Paramedics placed her on a spine board and fitted her with a neck brace.

Off duty fireman Matt Blay, who is based at Westlea, was driving on the M4 and stopped when he saw the accident.

Mr Blay went down to where the car had come to rest and spoke to the woman, reassuring her that help was on its way.

He stayed at the scene until she was taken to hospital.

The driver, who has not been named, was taken to Swindon's Princess Margaret Hospital and paramedics at the scene said her injuries were not thought to be life threatening.

The accident happened on the westbound carriageway at 11.45am on Saturday.