M5 traffic chaos after girl, 17, killed in horror collision on motorway
The tragic death of a 17-year-old girl in a horror collision on the M5 motorway[1] in Somerset has lead to a major traffic build up this morning.
The teenage girl was said to have been struck by a car[2] and died at the scene, with Avon and Somerset Police yet to share any further details. After the incident at around 11pm last night, the M5 was closed in both directions between Junction 24 for Bridgwater and Junction 25 for Taunton while police carried out their investigation.
The situation remains the same this morning, with Travel Somerset posting on Twitter[3]: “Major traffic build-up around #M5[4] corridor this morning due to M5 being closed both ways. Please plan ahead, expect significant congestion. We’re not expecting the M5 to reopen until lunchtime.”
In the early hours of this morning, National Highways south-west said: “Traffic caught within the closure of the #M5 north between J25 (#Taunton) and J24 (#Bridgwater) is being turned around from the back of the queue. Correction to our previous update, south traffic is not being turned yet. But will in due course. Thanks for your patience.”
Both lanes remain closed this morning (
PA)
Avon and Somerset Police[5] said the incident occurred at about 11pm on Monday evening, with the teenager dying at the scene. Police said the victim’s next of kin have been notified and are being supported by a specially-trained officer. No one else was injured in the incident.
A mandatory referral has also been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct due to prior police contact. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has dashcam footage is urged to call 101 and give the call handler the reference of log number 1170 of 11 November.
It comes after a lorry driver died during a horrific crash on the M6 motorway, in which his HGV overturned, sparking road closures. Lancashire Police said they are appealing for witnesses after being contacted about a serious collision on the M6 on Wednesday last week.
The heavy goods vehicle (HGV) was travelling northbound when it veered into the opposite carriageway[6], colliding with several other vehicles as it did.
The driver of the HGV was a man in his 50s, who was tragically pronounced dead at the scene, police added. The driver of a Ford Transit, a man in his 40s, and the driver of a Suzuki Swift, a woman also in her 40s, suffered serious injuries and were rushed to hospital. Another three individuals suffered minor injuries in the collision, which involved 10 vehicles in total.
References
- ^ motorway (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ struck by a car (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Twitter (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ #M5 (x.com)
- ^ Avon and Somerset Police (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ opposite carriageway (www.mirror.co.uk)