Mother and daughter killed in M4 crash

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A mother and daughter from Caerphilly, who were devoted to their family, have been named as the victims of a major crash on the M4 in Wiltshire.

Cheryl Woods, 61, and Sarha Smith, 40, were killed in a five-vehicle crash near Chippenham at around 9.10am on Friday October 20, as Storm Babet took hold.

Wiltshire Police have released the following tribute from the family of the two women:

“Cheryl Woods, cherished by those in her life, fulfilled the roles of a loving mother, doting grandmother, cherished sister, and a dear friend. Her selflessness was a defining trait, consistently prioritising her family’s well-being over her own, and she took immense pride in her Welsh heritage while nurturing a deep love for nature.

“Sarha Smith, in the footsteps of her mother, unselfishly devoted herself to her family’s needs ahead of her own. She was not only a mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, but her absence leaves a void for those who relied on her radiant presence. Her legacy lives on through her six daughters, who will forever hold her memory close and strive to honour her with their efforts.”

Major incident

The five-vehicle crash – reported to have involved three cars, a National Highways vehicle and a lorry – prompted a huge response from the emergency services.

According to the Wiltshire 999 website, it is understood a National Highways traffic officer was dealing with a minor road traffic collision on the hard shoulder shortly before the fatal incident.

It’s claimed a second collision occurred in the carriageway, which resulted in the lorry driver trying to avoid it. However, the lorry reportedly lost control and the vehicle toppled over – crushing a car.

A significant number of resources were sent to the scene – including eight fire appliances, four ambulances and a Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) ambulance crew.