News
Multiple-car accident on the M-50 leaves a woman in serious condition in Villa de Vallecas
On Tuesday night, a serious accident occurred on the M-50 near Villa de Vallecas. Three vehicles were involved in a crash that required the intervention of firefighters, medical teams, and Policía Municipal, and caused traffic jams on a key route for night-time travel in the southeast of Madrid.
The worst affected was a woman of around 50, who was trapped inside her car after the collision. Bomberos del Ayuntamiento de Madrid had to free her before Samur-Protección Civil medics could stabilise her and transfer her to Hospital 12 de Octubre.
The driver was evacuated conscious, but in serious condition due to injuries to her back and hip. Two other people, a man and a woman, were also treated at the scene for minor bruises and did not require hospitalisation.
According to the initial reconstruction, the incident began with a minor collision, followed by further crashes between the vehicles involved. The investigation will now have to clarify the exact sequence of the accident and whether factors such as speed, safe distance, or night-time visibility played a role.
Traffic was particularly affected on the inner carriageway of the M-50, around kilometre 38. For several hours, there were traffic jams and slow-moving vehicles, making it difficult for those using this road to connect Villa de Vallecas with other parts of the metropolitan area.
The M-50 handles heavy daily traffic from cars, industrial vehicles, and commuters travelling between outlying municipalities. At night, when traffic seems lighter, accidents can be just as serious: higher speeds, lower visibility, and less time to react.
The incident is a reminder of the vulnerability of these major Madrid ring roads. They are designed to handle large volumes of traffic and quickly connect the outskirts, but any chain collision can turn a seemingly clear stretch into a critical point for drivers and emergency services within minutes.