'Wild boar' causes Wiltshire M4 fatal crash

A motorist was killed when their car crashed into a wild boar on the M4 in Wiltshire and was then hit by a lorry.

Emergency services were called to the motorway, between junctions 17 (Chippenham) and 16 (Swindon West), just before 19:00 GMT on Monday.

Wiltshire Police said the Seat Ibiza driver, a 47-year-old man from Royal Wootton Bassett, died at the scene.

The eastbound M4 was closed for eight hours after the crash. The lorry driver was treated for minor injuries.

A South West Ambulance Service spokeswoman said four ambulances and a doctor were called to the scene.

Sgt Steven Love said: "This is a truly tragic incident and my thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim.

"It is quite rare for a wild boar to be on the carriageway of the motorway. It is more common for the police to receive calls involving horses or deer but each is equally dangerous to motorists.

"This was a particularly large wild animal and would have caused considerable damage to any vehicle."

Police have appealed for witnesses to contact them.