THIS shocking picture shows the remnants of the police patrol car from which an officer escaped with only minor injuries after it was rear-ended on the M4.

The constable, of Wiltshire Police’s Roads Policing Unit, managed to walk away from the wreckage following the collision at around 10.45am on Sunday on the hard shoulder of the motorway near the Dauntsey overbridge.

Two officers had pulled over another car for allegedly speeding and both were in the vehicle when a third car, an Audi A3, went into the back of the marked police car at speed.

One officer was trapped in the car and had to be cut free by firefighters before being taken to Great Western Hospital with shoulder injuries, while the other PC had to be treated for shock and both the man in the Audi and his daughter were also taken to GWH.

All those involved were discharged from hospital late on Sunday.

Fellow officers from across the community wished their colleagues well yesterday.

Swindon Town Centre Police posted on their Facebook page: “Wishing our colleague and the two from the other car a swift recovery. All taken to hospital but now released thankfully.”

And Royal Wootton Bassett neighbourhood officers posted: “Thoughts are with those who were injured, hoping they all make full recoveries.”

The incident is still being investigated by officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Team but it has not been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission as there is no indication police caused the accident.

A police spokesman said: “Everyone involved in the incident has been discharged from hospital and all have minor injuries. No-one has been arrested and the incident is still under investigation.

“The incident has not been referred to the IPCC, as there is no suggestion that the officers caused the accident.”

The road was closed completely from junction 16 for more than two hours, causing lengthy tailbacks of up to an hour-and-a-half, and was down to one lane while the vehicles were recovered at around 3pm.

Anyone with any information should contact Wiltshire Police’s SCIT on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.