10 CAR PILE-UP

A FREAK hail storm caused a 10-vehicle pile up on the A55 on Monday.

The sudden downpour left the expressway – between junction five for Gwalchmai and junction four for Llanfihangel – on Anglesey blocked in both directions as motorists struggled to find grip on the road.

Emergency services were called to multiple crashes on the stretch of road at around 8.30am.

North Wales Police closed the eastbound carriageway for more than two hours. There were also accidents on the westbound carriageway, but no closure was needed.

Drivers said the hail shower struck “suddenly” with cars seen spinning and skidding across the road.

One man told the Mail: “There are multiple accidents on the A55 near Valley. There has been a huge hail shower which came on very suddenly and left people with no time to react.”

Fire crews were also called to the scene afters reports some motorists were trapped in their vehicles, but on arrival they were not needed.

The Welsh Ambulance Service sent two ambulances to the scene of the pile-up, but nobody was injured.

The incidents sparked major delays along the A55, with heavy traffic reported on the A5 through Bryngwran as motorists attempted to avoid the crash scene.

Police fully reopened the road shortly before 11am.