M5 mystery over two crashes, woman getting out of van, and man running across motorway

The incidents took place near Gloucester Services on the Gloucestershire motorway

16:37, 03 Oct 2025Updated 16:49, 03 Oct 2025

Police are trying to piece together an incident on the M5 in Gloucestershire that involved two crashes, a woman leaving a van, and a man running onto the carriageway.

The incident began on the southbound M5 near Gloucester Services[1] last Saturday (September 27), Gloucestershire police said.

Officers had been sent to the scene, between junction 11a near Brockworth and junction 12 for Quedgeley and Hardwicke, after the driver of a silver panel van crashed into the central reservation and side barrier before coming to a stop on the hard shoulder.

Police said: "It was reported that a female passenger then left the van and got into another car.

"The driver of the van was then seen leaving his vehicle before running across the southbound carriageway and onto the northbound carriageway."

A second crash, involving the drivers of Ford Mustang and a Mercedes, was then reported.

Emergency services went to the scene and a woman was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital to be assessed for minor injuries.

She has since been discharged and no further injuries were reported.

Partial closures, which were put in place on both carriageways[2], were lifted a short time later.

A 22-year-old man from Worcester was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and driving whilst under the influence of drugs in connection with the first collision.

He has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Anyone who may have witnessed the van in the lead up to the first collision, or the collision itself, and who has not yet spoken to police, is asked to get in touch.

Officers are also keen to hear from anyone who may have any dashcam footage which they believe to be relevant.

Information can be submitted by completing the online form[3] and quoting incident 217 of 27 September:

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References

1. ^ Gloucester Services (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
2. ^ which were put in place on both carriageways (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
3. ^ online form (www.gloucestershire.police.uk)
4. ^ Gloucestershire Live (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
5. ^ click this link and select 'Join Community'. (chat.whatsapp.com)
6. ^ Gloucestershire Live (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
7. ^ Privacy Notice. (www.reachplc.com)
8. ^ Click here to join our WhatsApp community. (chat.whatsapp.com)