TWO women are dead after a horror crash on the M4 at the Prince of Wales Bridge.

The crash occurred around midnight last night, with two vehicles leaving the carriageway between junctions 22 and 21.

The two women, who were passengers in one of the vehicles, died at the scene.

Three men who were travelling in the other car have been arrested.

South Western Ambulance Service sent six ambulances as they rushed five people to hospital.

A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said the families of the deceased have been informed.

In a statement, the police said: “We are appealing for witnesses after emergency services were called to a two-car collision on M4 eastbound between junctions 22 (M49) and 21 (M48) at approximately 12.05am this morning.

“Officers arriving at the scene found both vehicles had left the carriageway, and a number of casualties. They were supported by the National Police Air Service and Gwent Police.

“Sadly, two women, who were passengers in one of the vehicles, were pronounced deceased at the scene. Relatives of the two women have been informed and our thoughts are with them.

“The three remaining occupants of the vehicle attended hospital, but their injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.

“Three men who were travelling in the other car have been arrested and are in police custody after also receiving hospital treatment.

“The road remains shut eastbound and a diversion route is in place via the M49 and M5 while recovery and investigation work is carried out.

“We hope to be in a position for the road to reopen at some stage this afternoon, however would advise drivers to follow National Highways South West’s Twitter feed for latest updates.

“We’d please ask any witnesses or motorists with dashcam that could assist our ongoing enquiries call 101 and quote reference number 5223170366 or contact us via our website.”

Follow our live blog of the incident here

South Wales Argus: The crash happened between J22 and 21 eastbound (red box)The crash happened between J22 and 21 eastbound (red box) (Image: Google Maps)

Earlier, South Western Ambulance Service said they sent six ambulances to the scene, as well as a hazardous area response team, a critical care car, and a rapid response vehicle.

Casualties were conveyed to Bristol Royal Infirmary and Southmead Hospital.

In a statement, the ambulance service said: "We were called at 12.10am to an incident near Thornbury.

"We sent six double-crewed land ambulances, a hazardous area response team, a critical care car, a rapid response vehicle and an operations officer.

"We conveyed two patients by land ambulance to Bristol Royal Infirmary and three patients by land ambulance to Southmead Hospital.”