Man dies and several injured in two M5 crashes

37 minutes ago

Zhara SimpsonSouth West

A man has died and several other people have been injured in two crashes on the M5 in Devon, police have said.

Devon and Cornwall Police said a driver in his 30s from Plymouth died after a collision involving four vehicles at about 23:10 BST near junction 28.

A man in his 40s has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and remains in police custody.

Four other people have been taken to hospital for treatment after the incident, none of whom are believed to have suffered life-threatening injuries.

Police said the fatal collision followed another three-vehicle crash on the M5 near Willand.

This was first reported at about 21:50 and one man was seriously injured.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has relevant dashcam footage is asked to contact the police.

National Highways South West said the motorway was shut at about 23:00 BST on Thursday between J27 at Sampford Peverell and J28 in Cullompton, which has caused major delays.

The force said: "The northbound carriageway has now reopened, however southbound remains closed for the time being and the closure has been passed to Highways."

Devon and Cornwall Police said it has been carrying out "extensive investigations" into the incidents.

National Highways said the northbound carriageway reopened at about 11:40 and motorists faced 30 minute delays due to a traffic "standstill".

It said the southbound carriageway of the M5 between junctions 27 and 28 was expected to reopen between 17:45 and 18:00 BST.

Bristol Airport has advised people to seek an "alternative route", while Exeter Airport has also warned people to allow "extra time" for their journeys to the airport due to the closures.

Devon County Council said on X at about 06:30 there was higher than usual volumes of traffic around Cullompton and Willand due to the emergency closure and advised motorists to use alternative routes and allow extra time for journeys.

At about 08:45 police said: "A number of people have been seriously injured... closures remain in place on the M5 while investigations continue into both collisions.

"Motorists are advised to avoid the area."

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service sent three fire engines and two special appliances to the scene at about 23:30.

A fire service spokesperson said crews assisted police and the ambulance service with the casualties.

At about 09:15, the service said crews were no longer in attendance.

BBC Cornwall's Matt Tancock said he was in the centre of Willand Old Village near Cullompton which was on the main diversion route from the B3181.

He 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."

He said people were taking diversion routes including articulated lorries which were using surrounding areas through "very little lanes" and they were having a "few areas".

BBC South West's Andrew Segal, travelling on the M5 near Gloucester, said electronic signs warning of the road closure were in place for drivers heading south, 90 miles (145km) from the affected area.