Injury update after serious M5 crash sees air ambulance called

A motorcyclist was airlifted to hospital with severe injuries following a collision with a van on the M5 in the West Country. The incident occurred on the southbound carriageway between Weston-super-Mare and Burnham-on-Sea on Thursday, October 3, prompting a rapid response from emergency services.

The motorway was temporarily shut in both directions to allow police and paramedics to attend the scene, with an air ambulance subsequently arriving to transport the injured motorcyclist to hospital. According to Avon and Somerset Police, the biker, a man in his 20s, sustained life-changing injuries and his next of kin have been notified.

The incident led to significant traffic congestion on the M5, resulting in multiple collisions and delays exceeding 90 minutes. Although the motorway was partially reopened in the northbound direction at approximately 3 pm, drivers reported “total chaos” on the roads, particularly between Weston-super-Mare and Bristol.

A subsequent collision near Bristol further exacerbated the disruption later that evening. One eyewitness described the scene: “Total chaos all around Backwell, Nailsea, Portishead and the main Weston-super-Mare road.”

“All due to this accident earlier. Now there’s been another one in the last few minutes. Total standstill everywhere I’m now parked up can’t get home taken me two hours so far.”

A representative for Avon and Somerset Police stated: “We were called at 1.37pm yesterday (Thursday 3 October) to reports of a serious collision involving a motorbike and van on the southbound carriageway of the M5 between junctions 21 (Weston-super-Mare) and 22 (Burnham-on-Sea).”

“Emergency services attended the scene and the motorcyclist – who is a man in his 20s – was taken to hospital by air ambulance. His injuries are considered to be life-changing and his family have been informed. The motorway was initially closed in both directions, before the northbound carriageway was reopened at 3pm.”

“Vehicle recovery and police collision investigation work at the scene was completed by approximately 5.50pm, enabling National Highways to carry out necessary repairs to the southbound carriageway before it was later reopened.”

“If you witnessed the collision or have any information which could help our investigation, call 101 and quote reference 5224260872.”