Major Multi-Vehicle Collision Closes A40 Westbound Near Shepherd’s Bush for Eight Hours

A devastating chain-reaction collision involving seven vehicles brought the A40 Westbound to a complete standstill near Shepherd's Bush on Tuesday evening, as emergency services worked through the night to free casualties trapped in the wreckage.

The incident occurred at approximately 5:47 PM during rush hour when a heavy goods vehicle travelling westbound lost control near the Shepherd's Bush roundabout interchange, striking multiple vehicles in its path. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that at least twelve people were injured, with three suffering life-threatening injuries requiring immediate hospitalisation.

Emergency Response

London Ambulance Service dispatched six ambulances, two advanced paramedic units, and the Air Ambulance to the scene. London Fire Brigade deployed four engines from Hammersmith, Acton, and Shepherd's Bush stations, with firefighters using hydraulic cutting equipment to extract trapped passengers from at least three vehicles.

"This was one of the most complex road traffic incidents we've attended in West London this year," said Station Commander Sarah Mitchell. "The vehicles were severely compressed together, making the extraction process extremely delicate. Our crews worked for over two hours to safely free all casualties."

Traffic Disruption

Transport for London (TfL) diverted all westbound traffic via Holland Park Avenue and Uxbridge Road, while the eastbound carriageway was reduced to a single lane. Bus routes 207, 607, and 427 were all diverted, causing widespread delays across West London that persisted until the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The A40 westbound remained fully closed from the Holland Park roundabout to the Savoy Circus junction until 2:15 AM, when one lane was reopened to traffic. Full carriageway access was restored at approximately 6:30 AM, just before the morning rush hour.

Investigation Underway

The Metropolitan Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) has launched a full investigation into the cause of the crash. Officers are reviewing CCTV footage from TfL cameras along the corridor and are appealing for dashcam footage from any motorists who were in the area at the time.

"We are keeping an open mind about the circumstances that led to this collision," said Detective Sergeant James Ward. "We would urge anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has dashcam or other footage, to contact us immediately."

The HGV driver, a 47-year-old man from Slough, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He has been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Calls for Safety Improvements

The collision has reignited calls from local councillors and road safety campaigners for improvements to the A40 corridor, which has seen a 23% increase in serious collisions over the past two years. Councillor Rebecca Martinez of Hammersmith & Fulham said the crash was "entirely preventable" and called for the immediate installation of average speed cameras along the affected stretch.

Road safety charity Brake said the incident highlighted the ongoing dangers posed by heavy goods vehicles on London's major arterial roads, particularly during peak hours when traffic volumes are at their highest.