A stretch of the M4 in Berkshire was brought to a standstill after a crash involving two lorries caused thousands of bottles of prosecco to spill across the motorway.

The collision happened on the westbound carriageway between junctions 13 and 14, near Newbury and Hungerford, and led to a full closure as emergency services rushed to the scene. One of the vehicles involved had been transporting around 20 tonnes of sparkling wine, which ended up scattered across the road following the impact.

Images from the scene showed smashed glass and boxes torn apart, with the contents spread across multiple lanes. The force of the crash also caused significant damage to both vehicles, with one lorry losing its shipping container and the other being ripped open, spilling its load across the carriageway.

Thames Valley Police confirmed the scale of the incident in a statement, saying:

“One vehicle has had its (empty) shipping container knocked off. The second was carrying 20 tonnes of Lovello Prosecco now spread across the carriageway, leaving significant debris and smashed glass throughout.”

The crash led to immediate disruption for motorists, with long delays building up as crews worked to assess the damage and begin clearing the road. National Highways and traffic officers were deployed to manage the situation, while drivers were advised to follow diversion routes and allow extra time for their journeys.

Police also revealed that one of the drivers is under investigation following the collision. In the same update, they said:

“One driver is under investigation for dangerous driving, with early indications suggesting mobile phone use at the wheel.”

The clean-up operation proved to be a significant challenge due to the volume of debris and broken glass across the motorway. Recovery teams were required to remove damaged vehicles, clear the spilled cargo and ensure the road surface was safe before reopening.

In a further remark highlighting the unusual nature of the incident, police added:

“Not quite the roadside refreshment anyone had in mind.”

The motorway remained closed for several hours while recovery work was carried out, causing knock-on delays across the surrounding road network. Drivers travelling through the area were urged to remain patient as crews worked to restore normal conditions.