Live: A39 completely closed due to ‘serious’ crash
The A39 in Somerset is completely closed this evening after a man died in a crash. Emergency services are currently at the scene near Chilton Polden Avon and Somerset Police has asked drivers to avoid the area and find alternative routes where possible.
It said: "The A39 is closed in both directions near Chilton Polden after a serious collision. "Emergency services are at the scene with the road closed between its junctions with Ford Lane and Holywell Road. Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes."
Roads and traffic monitoring site Inrix reported the crash at 4.49pm. It said: "A39 Bath Road in both directions closed, queueing traffic due to serious accident between Ford Lane and Moor Road. Congestion to routes through Chilton Polden as traffic heads away."
A police spokesperson later said: "A man has sadly died after a collision on the A39 near Chilton Polden this afternoon (31 July). Emergency services were called at 1.30pm to reports of the collision, which involved a black Citroen C4 Cactus car and a Mercedes lorry. "Despite the best efforts of medics at the scene, the driver of the car, a man aged in his 80s sadly died at the scene.
His family have been updated and our thoughts are with them. They will be supported by a specially trained family liaison officer. "The A39 is closed between its junctions with Ford Lane and Holywell Road to facilitate the emergency response and to allow initial investigative work to be completed.
If you witnessed the collision or have any dashcam footage that could help our investigation, please call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5225216004. "If you can help, please call 101[1] and give the call handler the reference number 5225216004, or complete our online appeals form[2]." We will keep you updated with our live blog below.
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