Key points
- Police and emergency crews attend serious Oxfordshire road crash.
- Multiple vehicles involved with several people injured.
- Major route closed in both directions near incident site.
- Thames Valley Police launch witness appeal and traffic diversion.
- Road reopens later after scene cleared and investigations completed.
Oxfordshire (Oxford Daily News) 10 February 2026 – Police are at the scene of a serious road traffic collision on a major Oxfordshire route after emergency services were called to reports of multiple vehicles involved and several people injured, Thames Valley Police has confirmed.
Officers from Thames Valley Police, South Central Ambulance Service and Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service arrived within minutes of the initial 999 call, cordoning off the carriageway and closing the affected stretch of road in both directions while paramedics treated casualties and firefighters made vehicles safe. A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said the incident is being treated as a “serious road traffic collision” and that investigations are ongoing to establish the exact circumstances that led to the crash.
What happened at the crash site?
As reported by a Thames Valley Police spokesperson, the collision occurred on Benson Lane (A4074) in the Wallingford area of Oxfordshire at approximately 3.10 pm on the day of the incident. The force stated that six vehicles were involved, including cars and at least one larger trailer‑type vehicle, with several showing extensive damage such as smashed glass, crumpled bodywork and detached components.
Eyewitness Zihan Zhou, quoted by the Herald Series / Oxford Mail, said he lives near the A4074 and heard “loads of sirens” passing by before seeing multiple vehicles parked along the roadside and emergency crews working on the scene. He added that a blue Audi appeared relatively undamaged, while a white Renault van had rear‑bumper damage and another hatchback behind a Land Rover was “pretty badly damaged,” with an older woman being treated by paramedics.
Thames Valley Police confirmed that four people were injured, one of them seriously, while the others sustained minor injuries. No fatalities were reported at the scene, and all casualties were taken to hospital for further assessment and treatment.
How did emergency services respond?
South Central Ambulance Service dispatched multiple crews, including paramedics and specialist units, to the location after receiving the initial emergency call. A spokesperson for the service told local media that crews found several patients at the scene and provided immediate life‑saving care before transporting them to nearby hospitals.
Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service also attended, using hydraulic cutting equipment where necessary to make vehicles safe and assist ambulance staff in gaining access to trapped occupants. Firefighters worked alongside police officers to secure the area, set up temporary barriers and ensure that fuel spills or other hazards did not pose a secondary risk to responders or passing traffic.
A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: “This is a road traffic collision involving six vehicles, first reported at around 3.10 pm. One person has serious injuries and three others have minor injuries, no fatalities though.”
Officers remained at the scene for several hours while forensic teams documented the position of vehicles, skid marks and other evidence
Which roads were closed and how were drivers diverted?
According to Thames Valley Police and local traffic‑alert outlets, the A4074 was closed in both directions between the A4130 roundabout near Crowmarsh Gifford and Church Road, Benson, immediately after the crash. The closure caused significant delays, with queues reported stretching back along the route as motorists were forced to seek alternative paths through surrounding villages.
As reported by local traffic‑alert pages, National Highways and the county council worked with police to implement temporary diversion routes, directing traffic via the A4130, B4009 and other local roads to bypass the incident area. Motorists were urged to allow extra time for journeys and to avoid the corridor unless travelling was essential.
After several hours, Thames Valley Police confirmed that the road had been fully reopened once the scene was cleared and investigations were sufficiently advanced.
A spokesperson said: “The road is now open to traffic in both directions and we would like to thank the public for their patience while emergency services dealt with this incident.”
What are police asking of witnesses?
Thames Valley Police has launched a witness appeal, urging anyone who saw the collision or the vehicles involved to come forward with information. Officers are particularly keen to speak to drivers who may have dash‑cam footage showing the moments before, during or after the crash, as well as any pedestrians or cyclists who were in the area at the time.
A Thames Valley Police spokesperson told reporters: “We are appealing to anyone who witnessed this collision or who may have dash‑cam or other video footage to contact us as soon as possible.”
The force added that such material could be crucial in understanding the sequence of events and whether any traffic‑law offences were committed.
Police also asked motorists who may have passed the scene shortly after the crash to check their dash‑cam recordings and contact Thames Valley Police via non‑emergency channels if they believe they have relevant footage.
How does this fit into wider Oxfordshire road‑safety concerns?
The crash comes amid ongoing concern about road‑safety levels across Oxfordshire, where recent years have seen a series of fatal and serious collisions on major routes such as the A40, A44 and A34. Data from national road‑accident statistics show that Oxfordshire has experienced multiple fatalities and serious injuries on its trunk roads, prompting repeated calls for improved signage, lower speed limits and better junction design.
In a separate incident reported by the BBC, a four‑vehicle crash on the A44 near Enstone in July 2025 resulted in two deaths and one person seriously injured, highlighting the risks posed by high‑speed rural dual carriageways. Thames Valley Police has previously stressed the importance of defensive driving, reduced speeds and strict adherence to traffic laws in reducing the number of serious collisions.
Road‑safety campaigners in Oxfordshire have pointed to the latest A4074 crash as evidence that more investment is needed in safer junctions, clearer signage and better enforcement of speed limits, particularly on routes that see heavy commuter and freight traffic.
What impact did the crash have on local residents?
Residents living near the A4074 corridor described the afternoon as “chaotic” as sirens filled the air and emergency vehicles raced past their homes. One local resident, speaking anonymously to a reporter, said the noise and sight of multiple ambulances and police cars made it clear that the incident was more serious than a typical minor bump‑and‑grind.
Others reported long delays on their usual routes, with some parents having to find alternative ways to pick up children from schools and childcare settings. Local businesses that rely on through‑traffic also noted a drop in passing trade while the road remained closed.
Despite the disruption, many residents expressed understanding, acknowledging that the closure was necessary to allow emergency crews to work safely and to prevent further collisions at the scene.
What happens next in the investigation?
Thames Valley Police has confirmed that a full investigation into the crash is underway, including the examination of vehicle‑damage patterns, witness statements and any available CCTV or dash‑cam footage. Investigators will seek to establish factors such as speed, road conditions, visibility, vehicle defects and whether any driver may have been under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication.
If evidence emerges that any traffic‑law offences were committed, officers may consider formal charges, including offences such as dangerous or careless driving, driving without due care and attention, or driving while impaired. No arrests have been reported in connection with this specific incident at the time of writing, and police have stressed that their priority remains supporting those injured and their families.
How can the public stay updated?
Thames Valley Police is advising the public to follow its official channels, including its website and social‑media accounts, for any further updates on the investigation or any subsequent court proceedings. Local media outlets such as the Oxford Mail and Herald Series are also expected to provide ongoing coverage as more details emerge.
Drivers are reminded to check live traffic information before travelling, particularly on routes that have recently seen serious collisions, and to allow extra time for journeys during peak periods. Road‑safety groups continue to urge motorists to drive within the speed limit, avoid distractions and maintain a safe following distance, especially on fast‑moving dual carriageways like the A4074.
