M4 closed after crash following police chase

The M4 has been closed in one direction after a car crashed on the motorway following a police chase.

The Met Police said officers pursued a vehicle after it failed to stop at around 03:15 GMT on the A4 at the junction with Earl's Court Road near London and it crashed on the M4 westbound just before junction 10 near Reading.

National Highways has closed the westbound carriageway in Berkshire between the junction 10 Winnersh Interchange and junction 11 Three Mile Cross Interchange.

Drivers are advised to exit at junction 10 and follow the diversion marked with a hollow square symbol on local road signs.

The force said the driver rammed a police car during the chase and caused it to swerve and lose a tyre.

The driver - a man in his 30s - was arrested at the scene on suspicion of dangerous driving, attempted grievous bodily harm, driving on false plates, possession of a bladed weapon, failing to stop for police and driving through a red light.

He was taken to hospital, by the London Ambulance Service, where his injuries were assessed as non-life-threatening and non-life-changing.

He remains in hospital and is expected to be taken to police custody at a later time.

The motorway closure is having a major impact on the A4 heading into Reading from the east and also on the A329(M) as drivers come off the motorway and head into Reading.