Newport: M4 reopens 13 hours after fatal three-car crash

Part of the M4 in south Wales has reopened 13 hours after a 52-year-old man was killed in a three-car crash.

He died at the scene of the collision near Newport involving a BMW X4, a Vauxhall Agila and a Volkswagen Polo, at about 21:00 GMT on Monday.

A 34-year-old man from Cardiff was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and taken into custody.

The eastbound carriageway between junctions 29 and 28 reopened shortly before 10:30 on Tuesday.

Some drivers and passengers caught up in the tailback took to Facebook after being "trapped in traffic" for more than five hours "with no water or food all night".

Many others shared their condolences for the bereaved family and praised emergency services for "doing their best".

As a result of the road closure, drivers reported heavy rush hour congestion between Cardiff and Newport, including the lanes through the Marshfield area.

One said it had taken her more than two hours to travel just 3.5 miles (5.6km).

Bus services in both Cardiff and Newport reported heavy disruption.

Cardiff Bus said: "Please allow extra time to travel. Due to M4 closure and congestion, which is affecting the A48/A48(M) and Eastern Ave, traffic coming into and out of Cardiff is severely congested which is causing severe delays on all services in the east of the city."

Newport Bus said it has also put a diversion in place "due to an accident".

Supt Mike Richards of Gwent Police said the closure was necessary "while our officers continue to work at the scene of the collision".

He added: "We know that there is likely to be a high level of travel disruption so we're asking motorists to avoid the area and follow the diversions which are in place."

Traffic monitor Inrix said a diversion was set up on the A48 Pentwyn link road out of Cardiff and through Castleton.