Disqualified HGV driver arrested after lorry seen driving on wrong side of the road

Off‑duty officer reports lorry “on the wrong side of the road”

Dyfed‑Powys Police said the incident began when an off‑duty officer contacted the Force Communication Centre at around 1am on 29 January. The officer reported seeing a heavy goods vehicle being driven “erratically” on the A40 between Narberth and St Clears, including “on the wrong side of the road on multiple occasions”.

Police said the behaviour posed a “potential risk to other road users”, prompting immediate checks on the vehicle and a deployment by the Roads Policing Unit.

Specialist pursuit tactics prepared as HGV tracked across west Wales

According to the force, officers located the lorry travelling eastbound on the A48 between Carmarthen and Cross Hands. Dyfed‑Powys Police said the priority was the safety of the public and officers, and that specialist Tactical Pursuit and Containment (TPAC) advice was obtained.

Because of the vehicle’s direction of travel, the force said South Wales Police TPAC officers and the National Police Air Service (NPAS) were also brought in to support the operation.

The HGV was kept under “constant observation” as it continued along the A48 and onto the M4, police confirmed.

Lorry stopped in Fforestfach as officers move in

Dyfed‑Powys Police said the vehicle eventually came to a stop at an industrial estate in the Fforestfach area of Swansea, where officers detained the driver.

The force confirmed the 22‑year‑old man was arrested on suspicion of driving while disqualified and immigration offences. The HGV was seized under Section 165A of the Road Traffic Act.

Driver charged and remanded to court

In an update issued the following day, Dyfed‑Powys Police named the driver as Tajinder Singh, of Tudor Road, Southall.

The force said he has been charged with driving while disqualified and using a motor vehicle on a road without insurance. He was remanded to appear before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 30 January.

Police urge public to report dangerous driving

Dyfed‑Powys Police said anyone with concerns about dangerous driving should report it, adding that roads policing officers “will take action to detect unsafe driving and prevent serious collisions”.

Police appeal for witnesses after road traffic collision on A48

Dyfed-Powys Police is appealing for witnesses following a serious road traffic collision with a Blood Bike and a car on the A48 on the evening of Monday 29th December.

A man was arrested after the motorbike rider sustained ‘life-threatening injuries’ in the collision, which took place on the A48 between the Botanical Gardens turning and Llanddarog junction around 6 pm.

The force are appealing for witnesses following the crash, which occurred on the westbound carriageway involving a black Audi A3 and a Honda 750 Liveried Blood Bike.

The Blood Bike rider was taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said:

“Dyfed-Powys Police is appealing for witnesses following a serious road traffic collision on the A48 yesterday evening (29 December).

“Just before 6pm on December 29, officers were called to a report of a collision involving a black Audi A3 and a Honda 750 Liveried Blood Bike on the A48, westbound, between the Botanical Gardens turning and Llanddarog junction.

“The Blood Bike rider sustained life threatening injuries and was taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

“The driver of the Audi – a 26-year-old man – was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by careless driving. He remains in police custody.

 “Did you witness the collision? Officers want to hear from anyone who was driving in the area at that time, especially those with dash-cam footage, to get in touch:

🖥️ | https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us-beta/contact-us/

📧 | 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk

📞 | 101

“Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.”

[Lead image: Google street view]

Baglan to Port Talbot road closed after ‘serious collision’

The A48 was closed between Fernfield and Dinas Baglan Road in Baglan earlier this morning while emergency services attend the scene of the collision.

Images taken by Cee SD and posted to social media show a van hanging off a tall stone wall in a precarious position.

Quite how the van ended up like that has not been officially confirmed, however eyewitnesses say it looked like the van’s handbrake failed and it rolled off a driveway which was at a higher level on top of the stone wall.

A spokesperson for South Wales Police said: “We’re at the scene of a serious collision on the A48 Briton Ferry to Baglan, Neath.

“The road is currently closed in both directions between Fernfield to Dinas Baglan Road.

“It is expected to remain closed for some time; please avoid the area and use alternative routes where possible. We’re grateful for your patience.”

Police later issued an update to say the road was reopened at 11.41am.

#A48 #Baglan #featured #RoadTrafficAccident

Calls for safety improvements on A48 at Cross Hands as yet another crash closes major road for ‘extended period’

The vehicles involved in the collision are believed to be a black BMW and a white Toyota Prius.

Four people were taken to hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing.

The stretch is likely to remain closed for the rest of the morning, Traffic Wales has confirmed.

The service said this is to carry out investigation work with the road so far closed for more than six hours.

The road has long been known as a collision hotspot and new figures have revealed that things are getting worse rather than better.

Data released by Dyfed-Powys Police via a freedom of information request shows there were 169 crashes on the road in the space of just one year between the start of October 2023 and the end of September 2024.

According to traffic service Inrix, the incident today affects the road from Cross Gates roundabout to Heol Parc Mawr. It states that the road is currently shut for investigation work.

The westbound carriageway is closed from M4 (Pont Abraham Roundabout, Llanedi ) to A476 Llandeilo Road (Cross Hands Roundabout, Cross Hands).

The eastbound carriageway is closed from A476 Llandeilo Road (Cross Hands Roundabout) to Heol Parc Mawr.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police said the route will be closed and advised motorists to avoid the area. A spokesman said:

“We are in attendance at a road traffic collision that occurred around 4.20am this morning.

“An 18-year-old man, who was taken to hospital, has since been discharged. He currently remains in police custody having been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving with no insurance and driving whilst impaired.

“The driver of the BMW had failed to stop for police prior to the collision. The independent Office for Police has been notified and a formal referral process has been initiated.

“The road will be closed for an extended period due to a collision. Please avoid the area and find alternative routes for your journey.

“We would like to thank the public for their patience while investigations continue.”

The incident follows calls for safety to be improved on the stretch between Carmarthen and Pont Abraham, which on average sees a crash almost once every two days.

In July a 75-year-old woman was killed in a crash between Cross Hands and Llanddarog while in November three people were killed in crashes between Cross Hands and Pont Abraham.

A crash on November 5 on the eastbound side of the A48 near Cwmgwili claimed the life of 90-year-old John Howell Price. Due to the same collision Emily Thornton-Sandy, aged 30, was taken to a Cardiff hospital with serious injuries but died six days later on November 11.

Whilst on November 15 Ian Michael Owen, aged, 55, was killed following a collision on the eastbound stretch between Cross Hands and Cwmgwili.

In December MS Adam Price who represents the Carmarthen East and Dinefwr constituency in the area of Carmarthenshire where the A48 dual carriageway is located called on the Welsh Government to do more to improve safety on the road.

“I was deeply concerned to learn that there had been further fatal incidents on the A48 [in November] and my thoughts go out to all those involved.

“These statistics indicate that there is a serious safety issue along this stretch of road.”

[Lead image: Traffic Wales South via Facebook]

#A48 #collision #CrossHands #DyfedPowysPolice #PontAbraham #TrafficWales

Tributes made to ‘much-loved’ father killed in crash on A48

Mr. Owen, was killed in a collision on the A48 between Cross Hands and Cwmgwili on Friday, November 25.

The road was closed for almost 20 hours after the crash which involved one vehicle, a a grey Isuzu D-Max. Both the eastbound and westbound roads were closed completely while emergency services were at scene.

In a statement issued through police, Mr Owen’s family paid tribute to them.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: 

“Ian was a dearly loved son to Brenda and Phil, brother to Lyndon and sister Beverley.

“He was a much-loved father to Dafydd, step-father to Michael, nephew to Barbara and niece to Leah. He was a devoted and loving partner to Lizzy for the past decade.

“Tragically taken away from us and will be solely missed by all who knew him. He was a hard-working electrical fitter for over 30 years and well respected by his colleagues.

“He was the epitome of the ultimate country man, always happiest when on his mountain and being outdoors, he was a keen motorcyclist and loved training his working dogs which was a true passion of his.

“He will always be known affectionally for being a friend to anyone who knew him, and his passing leaves a void for all who loved him.”

[Lead image: Dyfed Powys Police]

#A48 #Carmarthenshire #collision #CrossHands #Cwmgwili #DyfedPowys

Emergency services were called to a four-vehicle crash on the eastbound carriageway of the A48 between Cross Hands and Pont Abraham at around 11.55am on Tuesday, November 5.

The road was closed in both directions for several hours as emergency services attended the scene. The eastbound carriageway reopened at 9.40pm, whilst the westbound carriageway reopened at 10.10pm.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police has confirmed that a male driver of one of the vehicles died at the scene. His family have been informed, and are being supported by officers.

A female driver of one of the other vehicles was taken to hospital, where she remains in a serious but stable condition.

Dyfed-Powys Police is appealing for anyone who witnessed the crash, or who was travelling in the area at the time, to come forward.

In particular, officers would like to speak to anyone who has dashcam footage from the area at that time.

A spokesman for the force said:

“Police were called to a report of a road traffic collision which occurred at about 11.55am, Tuesday, November 5 where four vehicles were involved in the collision on the A48 eastbound between Crosshands and Pont Abraham, Carmarthenshire.

“Both eastbound and westbound carriageways were closed while emergency services were at scene. The eastbound carriageway reopened at 9.40pm and the westbound carriageway reopened at 10.10pm.

“Anyone who witnessed the collision, or anyone who travelled along the A48 both westbound and eastbound at the relevant time and may have dashcams fitted on their vehicle, is asked to report it to Dyfed-Powys Police.”

Witnesses can contact Dyfed-Powys Police by calling 101, by emailing 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk, online via https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, or by direct message on social media.

Anyone who is deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired, can text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908.

When reporting information relating to this incident, quote reference number 139 of Tuesday, November 5.

https://swanseabaynews.com/2024/11/06/carmarthenshire-crash-on-busy-road-leaves-man-dead-as-woman-hospitalised/

#A48 #collision #CrossHands #fatality #PontAbraham