Mother and three children killed in A34 crash in Berkshire

A woman and three children have been killed in a crash on a dual carriageway.

Police said the group, from Bedfordshire, were in the same car on the A34 in Berkshire.

The victims have been named locally as Tracy Houghton, 45, from Dunstable and her two sons Ethan, 13, and Joshua, 11, along with an 11-year-old girl who was also travelling in the car.

A man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

The 30-year-old from Andover has been released on bail until 5 October, following the collision on Wednesday involving four lorries and four cars.

A man flown by air ambulance to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford is receiving treatment for serious injuries.

A further 11 people sustained minor injuries, according to Thames Valley Police.The crash happened between Chieveley and East Ilsley at around 17:10 BST, causing a six-mile tailback on the northbound carriageway.

Thames Valley Police said the northbound carriageway reopened at around 06:30 BST, while the southbound carriageway was closed for about five hours.

Speaking at the scene last night, Insp Andy Storey said: "It's big scene, a massively tragic scene and very difficult for officers to deal with.

"The four who died were in the same motor car. The stretch of the road the accident occurred on is an uphill section and we are looking at the speed of the vehicles involved."