A FATAL car accident near the A404 Marlow bypass caused almost three miles of tailbacks on the M4 on bank holiday Monday, leaving traffic gridlocked.

The hold-up happened from 9.23pm after a single car lost control on the M4 westbound carriageway and crashed killing the driver.

Police say the man was 37 years old and from London. He has not yet been identified.

The westbound carriageway was closed until 4.33am, and traffic was diverted via the A404 bypass, back on to the motorway at junction 10.

Drivers looking to leave the M4 for Marlow and High Wycombe at junction eight/nine eastbound were also delayed, when a helicopter had to land on the road to attend the incident.

A Highways spokesman said: "The eastbound carriageway was closed very shortly for a police helicopter to land.

"Our report estimates the delays were more than half an hour, but it could have been more than that.

"This incident would have caused delays to people heading back towards London after the bank holiday weekend."

Motorists close to the accident reported a car lying on its roof, across two lanes, between junctions eight/nine and ten of the westbound carriageway.

The car was on fire and police, ambulance and fire crews were dispatched to the area immediately.

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

It is believed the vehicle lost control, skidded across three lanes of the motorway, crashed into the grass verge and then came back on to the motorway, landing on its roof and bursting into flames.

Day-trippers returning from the West Country had to wait until sunset to get off the motorway for Marlow and Cookham.

The motorway was also packed with returning football fans from London who were coming back from Cardiff having watched the Championship play-off final between West Ham and Preston North-End.

Anyone with information or those who witnessed the incident are asked to contact Taplow roads policing on 0845 8 505 505