M5 traffic chaos as busy motorway closed in both directions after HORSE runs into lanes
CHAOS erupted on the M5 after a horse ran into its lanes, forcing the busy motorway to close in both directions.
At just after 9.20am, its West Midlands branch said there was approximately three miles of congestion northbound.
Queues were greater still on the motorway in the southbound direction, at around 4.5 miles.
National Highways, at that time, advised travellers to allow an extra 45 minutes on their journeys.
The situation got worse just 20 minutes later.
National Highways said delays had extended to at least one hour in both directions.
Soon after, photos showed the horse being escorted away from the motorway.
Some reports suggested a car had hit and injured the animal, though it was later suggested it had been unscathed.
At 10.20am, the official account for National Highways West Midlands said: “Traffic has been released on the M5 in Worcestershire in both directions between Junction Five and Junction Six.
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“Long delays remain in place, so please allow time for them to ease.”
Following the incident, motorists expressed their pleasure over the horse being taken to safety.
One driver, Hannah Formaston, quoted in BirminghamLive, said: “I am so glad this horse has been caught and safe.
“It was on the slip road where we tried to get to the end to turn it around, but it was too freaked out at that point.
“So relieved it’s safe.”
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