M5 closure: Long delays after man hit by lorry – updates
A new closure was in place on the southbound carriageway of M5 between Wellington and Tiverton after a crash in Somerset.
The new closure came after a male pedestrian died after being hit by a lorry on the M5 at around 5.30am this morning, police have confirmed. The Northbound carriageway remains closed while investigations continue near Tiverton.
Devon and Cornwall Police have confirmed the tragedy in a statement sent to press this morning (September 6).
Police state in a statement: “Police were called at 5.30am today, Wednesday 6 September, to the M5 near Tiverton following reports of a collision involving an HGV and a pedestrian.
“The male pedestrian was confirmed deceased at the scene. His next of kin have been informed.”
The northbound carriageway of the M5 in Somerset remains closed following the incident this morning (September 6). All vehicles were held between junction 26 for Wellington and junction 27 for Tiverton.
Traffic monitoring system Inrix reports the southbound carriagewayt has been reopened. It says: “M5 Northbound closed, long delays due to police incident from J27 A361 (Tiverton) to J26 A38 (Wellington).
“Congestion to most roads through Wellington including the B3187 Taunton Road, the A38 West Buckland Road as drivers divert away from the closure.
“Both carriageways were closed since around 6am, but the southbound carriageway has now been reopened. The northbound side remains shut whilst investigation works continue.”
The incident was initially being reported as a collision, but has now been reported as a serious police incident being led by Devon and Cornwall Police.
For updates on this crash, follow the live blog below.
References
- ^ Serious M5 incident near Wellington closes motorway in both directions ‘for some time’ (www.somersetlive.co.uk)