Police release new details in fatal M5 crash
Devon and Cornwall Police has issued new details following two serious crashes on the M5[1] yesterday evening (Thursday, September 18). Emergency services were called to the scene of two crashes on the motorway in Devon yesterday evening. One man died in one of the crashes and the motorway was closed for around 15 hours, with motorists facing major delays and being stuck in stop-start traffic all morning.
Emergency services were called to the scene of a three-vehicle crash involving a blue Vauxhall Zafira, a silver Ford[2] Ka and a white Porsche Boxster, near junction 28 around 9.50pm. The driver of the Ford Ka, a man in his 60s, was rushed to hospital with serious injuries. His next of kin have been made aware.
Just over an hour later, emergency services were alerted to a four-vehicle crash near junction 27. An orange Land Rover Discovery, a blue Volkswagen Transporter, a silver Toyota Prius and a black Kia Ceed were involved, and the driver of the Toyota, a man in his 40s from Plymouth[3], died at the scene. A man in his 40s from the Cullompton[4] area, who was driving the Transporter, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
At the time of reporting, he remains in police custody. Four other people were taken to hospital following the second crash, but it is not thought that any of them have suffered life-threatening injuries. Devon and Cornwall Police has thanked the emergency services for their response and working throughout the night to investigate the scene.
The central reservation was taken apart to allow traffic that was trapped to contraflow. Speaking to DevonLive today (September 19) a lorry driver described how they were trapped in traffic for over 11 hours while the motorway was closed. He said the initial crash saw traffic come to a stop for around 45 minutes before the second, fatal crash, happened about a mile behind them.
He said: "It was carnage. From 11.30pm to just gone 6am, there were three lanes of trapped traffic." The public has been thanked following the closure, as 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. "Throughout the night, police officers and staff from Devon and Cornwall, Avon and Somerset and Dorset Police, plus the fire and ambulance services and Highways England worked tirelessly to undertake two complex investigations alongside assisting people held at the scene. "Highways England colleagues were able to slowly release vehicles by dismantling the central barrier to allow a temporary contraflow.
"The welfare of members of the public and staff involved and impacted by these two difficult events was at the forefront for those leading the response. "The M5 was impacted by closures for around 15 hours. We recognise the impact of this, through the morning rush-hour, was keenly felt; to those seeking to get to work, to appointments, the effect on business and people visiting our counties.
"We are keen to reassure that, alongside keeping people safe, our clear priority on behalf of the victims of these collisions and their families has been to undertake thorough and detailed investigations. "Our aim of returning the M5 to normality was achieved, with the northbound carriageway opening around 11am and the southbound at approximately 1pm. "The patience and understanding of people impacted by this event is genuinely appreciated.
"Police continue the investigation today, with specialist officers supporting the families of those directly involved."
The force is appealing for anyone who witnessed the crash, or who has dash-cam footage, to get in contact.
It said: "Anybody who witnessed the incident or has relevant dash-cam footage is asked to contact us on 101 or via our website quoting log 859 of 18 September."