Holiday horror Tourist left with £1,800 bill after M4 hit and run

An Italian woman's holiday was marred by a “hit and run” that left her with a £1,800 bill from a Bristol Airport hire car firm.

- Conor GOGARTY

Maria Bandini was at a standstill in an M4 queue when a van driver crashed into the back of her rental car and then fled, she claims.

The accident happened at around 5.30pm on December 27 on the M4 westbound between junction 24 and junction 25A.

The 44-year-old estate agent, from Lucca in Tuscany, said she had flown into Bristol Airport and rented a Citroen C4 from Enterprise before heading towards Pembrokeshire where she would be visiting family.

After her journey was curtailed by the crash, she was unable to see the registration number of the other driver, who quickly drove off the motorway at the nearby junction 25, she said. This led to Enterprise holding Ms Bandini liable for the deep dents to the rear of the Citroen - and charging her £1,800.

Gwent Police says it is making CCTV enquiries to identify the van driver, while Ms Bandini is appealing for information that could help trace him so she can get a refund.