A serious collision on the A40 near Slebech, Haverfordwest has left a man with what police have described as potentially life-changing injuries, prompting a large-scale emergency response and lengthy road closures on Tuesday afternoon. The incident, which involved four vehicles, resulted in substantial travel disruption throughout the Pembrokeshire region as emergency services worked at the scene for several hours.
The collision occurred shortly after 1:30pm on Tuesday, 6 May, on a stretch of the A40 between Canaston Bridge roundabout and Scotchwell roundabout. Road users in the area experienced immediate disruption as emergency personnel from Dyfed-Powys Police, Haverfordwest and Narberth fire stations, and ambulance crews prioritised rescue and medical assistance for those involved.
According to Dyfed-Powys Police, firefighters were required to extricate one person who had become trapped within a damaged vehicle. Once freed, the casualty was handed over to paramedics and subsequently airlifted to hospital for urgent treatment. The individual’s condition has been described as serious, and emergency responders have indicated there is a possibility of long-term or permanent effects as a result of the injuries sustained.
The specific circumstances of the crash, as well as the condition of other individuals involved, have not yet been fully disclosed by authorities. However, the impact on local infrastructure was both immediate and severe, with police enforcing strict road closures from shortly after 2pm in order to establish a safe environment for emergency operations.
As news of the incident spread, motorists found themselves contending with delays and detours as vehicles were diverted from the affected section of the A40. By early evening, drivers seeking alternate back routes became caught in extended queues, some reporting standstill traffic and the unusual sight of motorists leaving their vehicles while awaiting clearance. One motorist described the frustration: “Everyone’s getting out of their cars, just waiting,” highlighting the widespread disarray caused by the closure of this key transport artery.
The closure remained in effect for more than eight hours, only being lifted shortly before 10pm that evening. This prolonged period of disruption had a notable knock-on effect, not only for those travelling along the A40 but also for surrounding rural lanes, which saw higher-than-usual traffic levels as drivers attempted to navigate around the incident.
Routine traffic reports throughout the afternoon and evening cited substantial delays and advised road users to avoid the area where possible. Local residents and businesses also felt the impact, with access routes cut off and deliveries delayed until traffic normalised after the road reopened.
In a statement following the incident, a spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed: “Dyfed-Powys Police received a report of a four-vehicle road traffic collision on the A40 near Slebech, Haverfordwest, at approximately 1:35pm on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. One man was airlifted to hospital with potentially life-changing injuries. The road was closed and later reopened just before 10pm.”
Investigators are now working to establish the precise sequence of events that led to the collision. This has prompted renewed calls from road safety campaigners for continued vigilance and appropriate speed management, particularly along rural trunk roads that can see heavy traffic and limited overtaking opportunities.
The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the unpredictable nature of road travel and the critical work undertaken by emergency services. The thoughts of the local community are with the injured man and those affected, as many hope for a full recovery. Further updates regarding the investigation and the conditions of all involved are expected in the coming days as inquiries continue.