A major traffic incident in Denbighshire on Monday saw a man seriously injured following a collision involving a campervan, a lorry, and a motorcycle. Emergency services closed the A5 Berwyn bends, the well-travelled route connecting Llangollen and Glyndyfrdwy, for several hours to carry out rescue and investigative operations.
The incident took place late Monday morning, at approximately 11:40am, when three vehicles—a black Kawasaki ZZR motorcycle, a Swiss-registered campervan, and a red heavy goods vehicle—were involved in a substantial crash. According to witnesses, the area, known locally as the Berwyn bends due to its winding nature, was bustling with traffic at the time.
North Wales Police confirmed that the primary casualty, the motorcyclist, sustained serious injuries in the collision. Rapid response from emergency crews led to the man being airlifted to hospital for urgent treatment. As of Monday evening, the nature and extent of his injuries had not been further disclosed, and no other significant injuries were reported among the other individuals involved.
Authorities swiftly closed the A5 in both directions between Llangollen and Glyndyfrdwy, leading to significant delays and queues. Local traffic was either redirected or forced to wait as forensic teams worked meticulously to piece together the circumstances of the incident. Police have stated that the closure would remain in effect until their inquiries at the scene had concluded.
Sergeant Alun Jones from the North Wales Police Roads Crime Unit issued a public appeal for information. He encouraged anyone who may have witnessed the collision, or who was in the area shortly before the crash occurred, to reach out to officers. Of particular interest to investigators are dashcam videos collected by drivers travelling through the Berwyn bends on Monday morning.
The police are also seeking footage or witness accounts specifically relating to the black Kawasaki motorcycle, which was reportedly in the company of three other motorbikes and travelling southbound at the time. Additionally, any information regarding the movements of the Swiss campervan or the red lorry in the moments leading up to the incident could prove helpful to their inquiry.
Members of the public with relevant details are being urged to contact North Wales Police using the non-emergency number 101, quoting the incident reference C115191. Officers have reiterated the importance of even seemingly minor eyewitness accounts or video evidence in building a clearer picture of the sequence of events.
Road safety continues to be a pressing issue on rural Welsh roads, with the A5’s Berwyn bends being a location with a reputation for hazardous driving conditions, particularly for motorcyclists and large vehicles. Community leaders and road safety campaigners frequently remind drivers to exercise caution along this stretch, especially during the summer when tourism traffic is at its peak.
The aftermath of Monday’s accident has again drawn attention to the necessity for vigilance and adherence to speed limits in rural and winding roadways. For now, the focus remains on the ongoing police investigation and the recovery of the injured motorcyclist, whose current condition has prompted concern among both local residents and the wider motoring community. Police are expected to release a further update once more details are confirmed and the road is fully reopened.