A motorist has been detained on suspicion of causing death by unsafe driving after a rush-hour pile-up in which four people were killed.
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Senior investigating officer Insp Andy Storey, from the joint operations unit for roads policing based at Three Mile Cross, said: “Officers are now on the scene responding to this fatal collision”.
The 45-year-old woman, 11-year-old boy, 11-year-old girl and 13-year-old boy all died at the scene.
It is believed they were all travelling in the same vehicle.
The ambulance service originally thought it was two lorries and three cars involved in the crash, but they can now confirm it was four cars and four lorries.
South Central Ambulance Service said six ambulance crews as well as a hazardous area response team, as well as an air ambulance, were sent to the scene.
He is still in hospital being treated for serious injuries.
Four people died at the scene while at least one man remained in John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford with life-threatening injuries.
A teenage boy and a man were also taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading with minor injuries, and have since been discharged.
The northbound carriageway, between Chieveley at junction 13 of the M4 and between the West Ilsley junction was closed until 6.30am on Thursday.
One man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by risky driving.
Nine other people sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene. They are believed to have been travelling in the same auto.
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Anyone with information is asked to call Thames Valley Police inquiry centre on 101 quoting reference 1109 10/8.
