A woman in her 30s has died following a serious collision on the M4 near Maidenhead, Berkshire, prompting a major police investigation and significant disruption for motorists travelling through the area.
The fatal crash happened at around 9 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, near junctions 8/9 for Maidenhead. The collision involved a white Mercedes 220 and a white Scania heavy goods vehicle. Emergency services were called to the scene, where the driver of the Mercedes was pronounced dead. Her next of kin has since been informed.
A second collision occurred on the eastbound carriageway shortly afterward and involved a grey Kia Sorento, adding to the disruption already caused by the fatal crash. National Highways traffic officers assisted emergency services and police with road closures while the scenes were investigated and cleared.
The closures continued into Thursday, September 10, with the eastbound carriageway reopening at about 1:40 p.m. and the westbound side reopening around 3:30 p.m. The extended closures caused lengthy delays and disruption for motorists travelling between Maidenhead and the surrounding Berkshire area.
Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal collision. Detective Sergeant Lyndsey Blackaby, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, has appealed for witnesses who may have seen the crash or the events immediately beforehand.
Investigators are also asking motorists who were travelling through the area at the time to check their dashcam footage, as recordings could provide important evidence about what happened.
No arrests had been reported in connection with the fatal collision at the latest update. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not yet released the identity of the woman who died.
The tragedy has also served as a reminder of the dangers faced by motorists and other road users on one of the UK’s busiest motorway routes. As investigators work to establish the precise circumstances of the crash, the woman’s family and friends are being left to cope with the loss.
By Thursday evening, the latest available M4 traffic information indicated that both carriageways between junctions 8/9 and 10 had reopened, although motorists were advised to remain aware of residual delays and changing traffic conditions.
