THE heartbroken family of Patricia Joyce Connors have paid tribute to the great-grandmother who died after her dog got loose on the M4 near Cardiff, Wales.
Mrs Connors, 66, was killed on Friday evening on the dual carriageway westbound at junction 30 for Cardiff Gate shortly after 6pm.
She was hit by a Ford Transit van and pronounced dead at the scene.
In a statement, her family said: "The family of Patricia Joyce Connors are heartbroken trying to come to terms with a tragic accident that has taken a loving mum, grandmother and great-grandmother."
Following the accident, the motorway was closed westbound between junction 29 and 32 for five hours as South Wales Police carried out initial investigations and recovered the vehicles.
A police spokesman said: “A dog belonging to a female driver of a white VW Golf vehicle is believed to have entered the carriageway followed by the driver of the VW Golf vehicle.
“A Ford Transit vehicle has collided with the 66-year-old female who was pronounced deceased at scene.
“A police family liaison officer has been appointed and is supporting the next of kin."
The spokesman also said South Wales Police would like to speak with any witnesses to the collision or anyone who witnessed the dog running into the road prior to the collision.
