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A woman has been killed on a busy stretch of motorway while trying to chase down her dog.

South Wales Police have confirmed the woman died after entering the motorway north of Cardiff on foot and have appealed for witnesses to the rush hour incident.

A spokesman for the Welsh Ambulance Service confirmed the victim had been chasing her dog on the busy road when she was hit by a van.

The accident happened at 6.21pm near junction 30 of the M4 (Cardiff Gate), report Wales Online.

Last night was expected to be the busiest night of the year so far for traffic with many families getting away at the beginning of the Easter holidays.

A spokesman from the South Wales Ambulance Service has confirmed that a woman has been killed and pronounced dead at the scene.

The ambulance conveyed the woman to the University Hospital of Wales mortuary.

The M4 was closed westbound on Friday evening between junctions 30 and 32 causing huge delays for motorists.

A statement from South Wales Police said: “A dog belonging to a female driver of a white VW Golf vehicle is believed to have entered the carriageway followed by the driver of the vehicle.

“A Ford Transit vehicle has collided with the 66 year old female who was pronounced deceased at scene.

“A police family liaison officer has been appointed and is supporting the next of kin.

“The motorway was closed for approximately five hours while Police carried out initial investigations and recovered the vehicles. South Wales Police would like to thank the people affected by the closure for their patience and understanding.

“South Wales Police would like to speak with any witnesses to the collision or anyone who witnessed the dog running into the road prior to the collision.”