THE MOTORWAY was closed for nearly six hours early this morning following a crash involving two cars. 

At 2.20am, a black Renault Clio collided with the rear of a silver Land Rover Discovery near junction 17 of the M4. As a result, the Renault Clio struck the hard shoulder protection barrier and caught fire.

The driver of the Land Rover, having hit the central reservation and rebounded on to the hard shoulder, got out and rescued a rear seat passenger in the Renault Clio, who was unconscious, before the car was fully engulfed.

All three occupants of the car were taken by land ambulance to Southmead Hospital in Bristol.

The road was closed at 2.45am until 8am. 

Anyone with information should call police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.