A FATHER-OF-THREE has described the heart-stopping moment he had to swerve out of the way of a car speeding down the M4 in the wrong direction – just moments before a fatal crash.

The car travelling in the wrong direction crashed further down the M4, killing a 38-year-old woman from Cwmbran and hospitalising a 21-year-old man from the Blackwood area.

The woman has since been named as mother-of-two Georgina Elaine Coombs.

After the crash, a police statement said a silver Vauxhall Astra had been driving the wrong way down the M4 Westbound, and was involved in a crash with a Black BMW between J27 and J26.

The same car narrowly avoided two others shortly before this, according to motorist Stephen James.

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Mr James was travelling from Surrey to Merthyr on Friday night with his three daughters and girlfriend when the terrifying near-miss happened.

Driving in the middle lane of the M4 Westbound, Mr James told the South Wales Argus that there was a car in the outside lane near him.

“My girlfriend suddenly asked: ‘What’s that up ahead?’

“Before we could even think this car was on us. It was in the outside lane, going in the wrong direction. It was so fast, there was barely any time.

“The car in the outside lane that was going the right way swerved into the middle lane to avoid it.

“They clipped wing mirrors I think. They were lucky that they could move in time.

“We swerved to avoid the car that moved into our lane, and I stopped immediately to make sure everyone was ok.

“There were four people in the other car – I think it was a rental. Luckily they were fine.

“We were all so shaken up.”

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Mr James and the other driver moved their cars onto the hard shoulder before making their way to the nearby Cardiff Gate services.

He later learned that the car had crashed just after the near-miss.

"It was devastating to learn that someone had died," he added. “I was just stunned."

“I’ve spoken to the police, and helped in any way I can."

Gwent Police said the 38-year-old woman from the Cwmbran area was travelling in the Vauxhall Astra. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 21-year-old man from the Blackwood area, who police say was travelling in the BMW, was taken to hospital with leg and hip injuries.

Officers are investigating and have asked anyone with any information to contact them on 101 quoting log: 628 22/02/19