A MOTORCYCLIST and her pillion passenger were taken to hospital after they were apparently blown off their bike by the wind on the M4 near Swindon yesterday morning.

Great Western Ambulance Service received several 999 calls from 11.46am, reporting the incident on the eastbound carriageway between Junctions 16 and 15.

Two ambulance crews arrived within minutes of each other, supported by a GWAS officer to liaise with other emergency services at the scene.

The crews reported that the two patients – a man and a woman, both believed to be in their 50s – were conscious and breathing, although there were concerns that the woman rider had initially lost consciousness due to a head injury.

She was placed on a spinal board and taken to Great Western Hospital, where she has undergone a CT scan for a potentially serious head injury.

Her male pillion passenger was also placed on a spinal board after being assessed, treated and stabilised on scene.

He was also taken to Great Western Hospital suffering head and back injuries, although his condition is not thought to be life threatening.

No other vehicles are thought to have been involved.

The motorway was partially closed between junction 15 and junction 16 causing long delays. The M4 eastbound entry slip at junction 16 was also closed until late afternoon.