M5 reopen after serious car and lorry crash near Gloucestershire

A stretch of the M5 near Gloucestershire was closed for hours following a serious crash this afternoon (September 22). West Mercia Police said the collision involved a car and a lorry.

The motorway was shut heading northbound between junction 7 for Worcester and junction 8. There are long delays running back to Cheltenham.

West Mercia Police said earlier: "Officers are currently at the collision on the M5 between Junction 7 and Junction 8. The collision is between a car and lorry."

Traffic monitoring site Inrix added: "M5 Northbound closed, long delays due to accident, a lorry and a van involved between J8 M50 and J7 A44 (Worcester / Evesham ). Congestion to J10 ( Cheltenham ). The opposite side due to onlookers. The A38 through Kempsey is congested as traffic seeks an alternative.

"Just prior to 12:40 all traffic was held to assist and was confirmed fully closed just over 10 minutes later. Air ambulance is on the way to the scene. Originally lanes one and two (of three) were closed."

The closures were lifted at around 2pm, but long delays remained well into the rush hour period.

This is a live blog. Scroll down for updates.

References

1. ^{^} Gloucestershire’s police force out of special measures after improvements made (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)