Driver dies on M49 in early morning crash as one man arrested
A man has died after a crash on the M49 in Bristol, police have confirmed. The motorway was closed along its complete length between the Prince of Wales bridge and Avonmouth[1] since around 5.45am today (October 3).
Emergency services were called in the early hours of the morning to reports of a serious crash involving a van and the driver of a broken down vehicle on the motorway. Paramedics attended alongside Avon and Somerset Police[2] officers.
In a statement released this afternoon, police confirmed a man in his 60s was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash[3]. One man has been arrested in connection to the incident.
The force is now appealing for information. Anyone who was in the area between 5.30am and 6am and saw what happened is asked to call police on 101 and quote reference number 5223240486.
The M49 was closed in both directions shortly after the crash[4], with both police and National Highways asking driver to avoid the area and take alternate routes. Motorists were diverted around the closure via the M5 and M4, causing significant delays on both the busy roads through the morning.
At its peak, there were delays of around 90 minutes across the Prince of Wales Bridge[5] as traffic diverted. The M49 has since reopened.
A spokesperson for the police force said in a statement: "We are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a man sadly died on the M49 this morning (Tuesday 3 October). Officers were called to a report of a collision involving a van and the driver of a broken-down vehicle on the M49 at around 5.45am.
"Sadly one person, a man in his 60s, was pronounced dead at the scene. Our thoughts are with the man’s family during this difficult time and they will be offered support by a specially trained family liaison officer.
"One man has been arrested in connection with the incident and is in custody. We are seeking any witnesses and anyone with dashcam footage to aid in our enquiries."
A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS[6] Foundation Trust (SWASFT) said: "We were called at 5.51am to an incident on the M49 Northbound near Avonmouth and sent two hazardous area response teams, a rapid response vehicle and two double-crewed land ambulances."
References
- ^ Avonmouth (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ Avon and Somerset Police (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ crash (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ The M49 was closed in both directions shortly after the crash (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ delays of around 90 minutes across the Prince of Wales Bridge (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ NHS (www.bristolpost.co.uk)