A coach crash on the M4 on Tuesday (February 4) morning left commuters facing tailbacks of up to six miles.
The coach, carrying 57 Argentinian students and teachers, crashed along with a lorry and a car just before 9.30am.
By 12.30pm there were queues stretching to the Severn bridges and Cardiff Gate services at junction 30.
One passenger and the driver of the coach were seriously injured when it crashed into the barrier of an off-slip ramp between junctions 25 and 26 eastbound.
The motorway was closed in both directions between junctions 24 and 28 to allow two air ambulances to land and take the driver to Morriston Hospital in Swansea.
The passenger was taken to University Hospital of Wales, the Heath Cardiff and another seriously-injured patient was admitted to Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport.
Despite having serious injuries none of the three are in a life-threatening condition.
Christina Rankin-Moore of Wales Air Ambulance said their Swansea-based helicopter was mobilised at 9.37am and arrived at the scene at 10am.
“The Welsh Air Ambulance paramedics assisted emergency services on scene before airlifting an adult male to Morriston Hospital,” she said.
Eight other patients, including students from the coach, were treated at Royal Gwent Hospital for minor injuries.
The fire service used specialist cutting equipment to free the driver and was still working to release trapped passengers two hours after the crash.
The Welsh Ambulance Service sent two rapid response vehicles, four emergency ambulances and three ambulance officers to the scene as well as the two helicopters.
Newport City Council set up a rest centre for the passengers who were not injured where they are currently being cared for.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing teenage passengers crying and hugging each other near the scene of the crash.
The coach had Caledonian Coaches livery but was being operated by Scottish-
based Gibson Coaches.
Two lanes westbound had reopened by 1pm but there were still long delays.
A number of drivers stuck in the traffic jams tweeted their frustration.
Gerwyn Lewis said: “Approaching the third mile in traffic having driven less than a mile.”
Driver Laura Tolley warned others to avoid the area.
“M4 towards Newport is horrific, I would turn around now if your [sic] heading that way! So glad I was on the other side!” she tweeted.
Chief Insp Paul Evans of Gwent Police said closing the motorway was the only option.
He said: “We appreciate the closure is causing problems for motorists however the decision to do so is never taken lightly.
“We need to ensure we investigate every such collision thoroughly gathering all evidence possible and also ensuring the safety of everyone involved as well as other motorists who will be using this road once its reopened.
“We are grateful for the understanding and patience shown by drivers and their passengers today.”
Ten other passengers, eight students and two adults, were treated at Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport for minor injuries.
The fire service used specialist cutting equipment to free the driver and was still working to release trapped passengers two hours after the crash.
Newport City Council set up a rest centre for the passengers who were not injured where they are currently being cared for.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing teenage passengers crying and hugging each other near the scene of the crash.
Two lanes westbound had reopened by 1pm but there were still long delays.
A number of drivers stuck in the traffic jams tweeted their frustration.
Gerwyn Lewis said: “Approaching the third mile in traffic having driven less than a mile.”
Driver Laura Tolley warned others to avoid the area.
“M4 towards Newport is horrific, I would turn around now if your heading that way! So glad I was on the other side!” she tweeted.
M4 towards Newport is horrific I would turn around now if your heading that way! ! So glad I was the other side!
— Laura Tolley (@lautolley) February 4, 2014
Chief Insp Paul Evans of Gwent Police said closing the motorway was the only option.
He said: “We appreciate the closure is causing problems for motorists however the decision to do so is never taken lightly.
“We need to ensure we investigate every such collision thoroughly gathering all evidence possible and also ensuring the safety of everyone involved as well as other motorists who will be using this road once it is reopened.
“We are grateful for the understanding and patience shown by drivers and their passengers today.”
Caledonian Travel were unavailable for comment.
