The M-40 resumes traffic after a concrete mixer lorry overturns

The accident occurred at the junction between the A-4 and the M-40, one of the areas with the highest traffic intensity in the south of the capital. Congestion quickly spread along nearby access routes and complicated journeys for thousands of drivers returning home or crossing the city.

The Bomberos del Ayuntamiento de Madrid worked to stabilise and move the heavy vehicle to the side of the carriageway. Thanks to that manoeuvre, the left lane was able to reopen at around 18:30 and, shortly afterwards, the central lane was also operational again, although the tailbacks took considerably longer to disappear.

The driver managed to leave the lorry unaided and was treated by Samur-Protección Civil for minor injuries. Meanwhile, the Guardia Civil took over the investigation of the accident and traffic regulation during the work to remove the vehicle.

The Dirección General de Tráfico reported the incident through its channels and recommended taking extra care on the approaches to the junction with the A-4. Many drivers chose to seek alternative routes to avoid the traffic jam, especially around Mercamadrid.

The final removal of the concrete mixer required specialist machinery because of the vehicle's weight and the load of concrete it was carrying. That process required part of the emergency operation to remain in place even after traffic had partially reopened.

Incidents such as this show the vulnerability of Madrid's major transport junctions. A single accident at a strategic point is enough to generate kilometres of tailbacks and disrupt for hours journeys between the south of the region and the rest of the capital.

The afternoon ended with traffic gradually returning to normal, but it left another familiar image of the major ring roads: long queues of stopped vehicles, saturated alternative routes and thousands of drivers forced to change their plans by an accident that paralysed one of Madrid's busiest approaches.