**Major Welsh Road Closed After Violent Road-Rage Incident, Two Arrested**
A busy stretch of the A55 expressway in North Wales was brought to a standstill on Monday, 19 May, after a heated dispute between motorists erupted into a violent altercation. The incident, which occurred near Dwygyfylchi, subverted the evening rush hour and led to a significant emergency response, including two air ambulances and multiple police units.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of mounting frustration and traffic chaos as the westbound carriageway near Penmaenbach Tunnel was sealed off just after 4pm. The bottleneck quickly spread, with congestion stretching towards Conwy Morfa and traffic forced to seek alternative routes through surrounding towns such as Conwy and Llandudno Junction.
According to North Wales Police, the fracas involved two men, each a passenger in separate vehicles – identified as an Audi and a Cupra. Reports state that an argument between the pair escalated dramatically, resulting in a physical brawl on the live carriageway. “Officers responded rapidly to the scene,” confirmed a police spokesperson, “and the road was closed to ensure public safety and facilitate the emergency response.”
Emergency medical teams attended to both injured men at the scene before they were transported to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd hospital. The nature of their injuries was not disclosed, but one of the men was released from hospital later the same day and taken into police custody on suspicion of assault.
In a notable development, police revealed that no vehicles had collided in the lead-up to the incident. However, both female drivers of the involved cars were arrested in the aftermath. A 33-year-old woman was held on suspicion of dangerous driving and grievous bodily harm (section 18 wounding), while the other driver, aged 49, was detained on suspicion of drug driving, a racially aggravated public order offence, and careless driving.
Both women have since been released under investigation pending further enquiries. North Wales Police thanked the public for their patience and the large number of witnesses who came forward with information, which officers say has been valuable to their ongoing investigation.
Air ambulances played a prominent role in the emergency operation. One helicopter from Caernarfon arrived at the scene close to 4.30pm, while a second, dispatched from Welshpool, was rerouted to the area, underscoring the seriousness with which emergency services treated the situation.
For a period, both directions of the A55 were shut between the Penmaenmawr exit and the Llandudno Junction side of the Conwy tunnels, compounding delays as traffic was diverted. The eastbound lanes were cleared to reopen soon after the fight was brought under control, but the westbound carriageway did not see vehicles pass through again until a little before 6pm – more than two hours after the incident began.
The disruption highlighted the vulnerability of North Wales’s primary east-west route to incidents of this nature. The A55, often described as the lifeblood of coastal North Wales, saw its role in regional connectivity challenged once again, reminding commuters and local authorities alike of the importance of safety and civility on busy roads.
Such an incident brings into sharp relief the dangers of road rage and the potential for escalation, especially on high-speed transport corridors. Authorities continue to urge motorists to exercise patience and to report aggressive behaviour before it spirals out of control.
As investigations continue, North Wales Police are appealing for any further witnesses or dashcam footage that may assist with their enquiries. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the consequences reckless behaviour can invite, both for those directly involved and the wider travelling public.