M5 traffic LIVE: National Highways warns of delays on major motorway after crash

A man has died and another motorist was seriously injured in two separate crashes on the same stretch of motorway. Devon and Cornwall Police said the incidents, which both involved multiple vehicles, happened on the M5 southbound near Willand, Devon on Thursday night. Emergency services were initially called at about 9.50pm after a three-vehicle collision near Junction 28 which left one driver in his 60s seriously injured.

A second collision happened at 11.10pm in which one driver died at the scene.

15:50KEY EVENT

Arrest made after M5 crash

Emergency services were initially called at about 9.50pm after a three-vehicle collision near Junction 28 which left one driver in his 60s seriously injured. A second collision happened at 11.10pm in which one driver died at the scene. A man has been arrested in connection with this crash, which happened on the approach to the location of the first incident.

15:40KEY EVENT

Man has died, police say

A man has died and another motorist was seriously injured in two separate crashes on the same stretch of motorway.

The Toyota driver, a man in his 30s from Plymouth, died in the crash. His next-of-kin have been informed. Police are appealing for any relevant information or dashcam footage from either crash.

Superintendent for roads policing Joe Mathews said: "Our thoughts are with all those injured in these collisions and with the family and friends of the man who died. "These incidents resulted in two challenging scenes and members of the public held within tailbacks and traffic for several hours." He said the emergency services "worked tirelessly to undertake two complex investigations alongside assisting people held at the scene".

13:00Anders Anglesey

All routes 'at complete standstill'

All routes remain at a complete standstill following the multi-vehicle crash along the M5 in Devon.

BBC Cornwall's Matt Tancock said: "All routes are at a complete standstill. We've been keeping an eye on the same lorry and it's been on the same stretch for about 30 minutes now and bear in mind we are in a small village."

11:21Anders Anglesey

Man in hospital with serious injuries

A male driver of a Ford Ka was taken to hospital with serious injuries, police said. The details of a separate collision, reported near Junction 28 at about 11:10pm will be released later, police added.

Closures remain in place on the M5 while investigations continue into both collisions.

Police continue to investigate the cause of the crash (National Highways)10:47KEY EVENT

Police appealing for witnesses

Police are urging people to come forward with dashcam footage following a three-vehicle collision on the M5. Devon and Cornwall Police said in a post on Facebook: "Officers are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage following a three-vehicle collision on the M5 near Willand in which a man was seriously injured."

09:48Anders Anglesey

Photo shows delays following crash

A photo taken following the crash shows lengthy delays along the M5. Several people have been injured in the crash, according to Devon and Cornwall Police.

Several people were injured in the crash (Devon Live)08:48Anders Anglesey

Police statement on crash

Devon and Cornwall Police have issued a statement following the crash.

A spokesperson for the force said: "Road closures remain in place this morning following two serious multi-vehicle collisions on the M5 southbound. "The collisions between junctions 27 and 28 were reported to us at around 9.50pm and 11.10pm last night, Thursday 18 September. "A number of people have been seriously injured and the closures are likely to remain in place for at least another two hours.

"We thank drivers for their patience while recovery and investigation work is carried out."

07:47Anders Anglesey

Specialist contractors on way to motorway

National Highways said specialist contractors will cut the central reservation barrier. This will be done to free traffic that has collected behind the first incident.

07:03KEY EVENT

M5 remains closed

National Highways said the M5 in Devon remains closed both ways between J27 in Sampford Peverell to J28 Cullompton following two separate collisions. Police are continuing their investigations.

06:39Anders Anglesey

Police carrying out 'extensive investigations'

The M5 in Devon (J27 Sampford Peverell to J28 Cullompton) remains closed both ways amid a police investigation.

Devon and Cornwall Police advised both carriageways will remain closed most of the morning due to extensive investigations, said National Highways: South West.

The #M5 in #Devon J27 #SampfordPeverell to J28 #Cullompton remains closed both ways.@DC_Police have advised both carriageways will remain closed most of the morning due to extensive investigations. pic.twitter.com/mda0m4FfDB[1][2][3][4][5][6]

-- National Highways: South-West (@HighwaysSWEST) September 19, 2025[7]06:20Anders Anglesey

Allow extra journey time, says National Highways

People are being asked to allow for extra time if the closure impacts your planned journey route. National Highways added: "Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey.." Further information is available from National Highways by visiting the www.trafficengland.com website and travel apps, or via our regional twitter feed.

Its 24/7 contact centre team is also available to provide up to the minute information on 0300 123 5000.

06:10Bradley Jolly

M5 chaos follows A12 delays in Essex

Yesterday, motorists on the A12 in Essex[8] were left stranded for over five hours following another serious crash[9]. The A-road was closed overnight between Junction 15 for Margaretting and Junction 16 for Chelmsford following a serious collision. Emergency services, including Essex Police[10], were at the scene and carried out a thorough investigation.

National Highways contractors assisted with traffic management and diversion routes there.

05:48Bradley Jolly

Traffic busy on local roads through the diversion as a result of the closure

With the M5 still closed, traffic is heavy on local roads through mid Devon. The villages of Willand and Sampford Peverell are congested with northbound traffic, while the Waterloo Cross area is also slow this morning. But drivers should still follow the diversion advised by the National Highways.

05:21Bradley Jolly

Specialist contractors to cut central reservation barrier on M5

Specialist contractors will cut the central reservation barrier to free the traffic caught behind the first incident, the National Highways has confirmed.

It is unclear how many vehicles are involved in each crash. Queues are starting to back up on both sides of the motorway.

04:57KEY EVENT

Diversion for northbound traffic

Northbound Road users are advised to follow the Hollow Diamond diversion symbol on road signs, the National Highways says

• Exit M5 at J28 (Cullompton).

• At the roundabout, join the B3181 northbound towards Willand.

• Continue on the B3181 through Willand and towards Sampford Peverell.

• At the junction with the A361, follow signs for Tiverton/Barnstaple.

• Use the A361 link road to rejoin the M5 northbound at J27.

04:45KEY EVENT

Diversion route for M5 southbound traffic

National Highways says; Southbound road users are advised to follow the Solid Square diversion symbol on road signs.

• Leave the M5 at J27 and take the 1st exit onto the A38.

• Follow the A38 to the roundabout with the B3181 at Waterloo Cross and take the 2nd exit onto the B3181 southbound.

• Follow the B3181 southbound through Willand and back to the M5 J28 junction at Cullompton and rejoin the M5 southbound at

04:27KEY EVENT

M5 closed both ways in Devon after serious crash

The M5 in Devon is closed both ways between J27 and J28 due to a serious road traffic collision.

The M5 in Devon is closed both ways between J27 and J28 due to a serious road traffic collision.

Devon & Cornwall Police and emergency services are currently in attendance.

Two secondary incidents in the queue for the original incident have occurred meaning the road will likely remain closed for some time.

References

1. ^ #M5 (twitter.com)
2. ^ #Devon (twitter.com)
3. ^ #SampfordPeverell (twitter.com)
4. ^ #Cullompton (twitter.com)
5. ^ @DC_Police (twitter.com)
6. ^ pic.twitter.com/mda0m4FfDB (t.co)
7. ^ September 19, 2025 (twitter.com)
8. ^ Essex (www.mirror.co.uk)
9. ^ crash (www.mirror.co.uk)
10. ^ Essex Police (www.mirror.co.uk)