Police have issued a major update in the investigation into a major M4 'attack' which closed the motorway between Swindon and Chippenham.
The incident, which took place on January 27, was initially described as a 'violent assault' on the M4, as one man was rushed to Great Western Hospital with injuries.
All traffic between Swindon and Chippenham was halted for several hours, as emergency services, including an air ambulance, descended on the motorway.
"At around 2.30pm, we received a report that a man had been seriously assaulted and was in the passenger seat of a stationary car on the M4 hard shoulder westbound between junctions 16 and 17," said a spokesperson for Wiltshire Police, shortly after the incident.
"A 40-year-old man, thought to be the registered owner of the vehicle, was located nearby and was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and drink driving.
"He has been taken to hospital for treatment on his injuries, and will then be questioned."
In a new update, police officers investigating the case have now confirmed that the charge of grievous bodily harm has been dropped, and no further action will be taken.
The suspect does remain on bail on suspicion of drink driving, but the incident is no longer being treated as an assault.
A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance Service added: “We were called at 14:15hrs on Tuesday, 27 January to an incident near Chippenham.
"We sent one double-crewed land ambulance, an air ambulance, and an operations officer to the scene."
Injuries sustained during the incident were described as serious, but not life-threatening.
The M4 was reopened to motorists shortly after 5pm on January 27, but caused hours of disruption for those held at a standstill during the arrest.
All lanes eastbound and westbound were closed between Swindon and Chippenham for approximately two hours, with drivers reporting "severe delays."
Traffic maps and National Highway cameras showed the extent of this major incident, as hundreds of cars queued for miles.
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One motorist told the Swindon Advertiser: "I've been sat here for 40 minutes and I'm about two football pitches from it.
"I can see the police and the ambulances everywhere. The westbound lane hasn't moved in nearly an hour."
Another truck driver added: "I've been stuck here for 50 minutes and so far haven't moved an inch in my truck."
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