M5 traffic LIVE: Chaos on major UK motorway after horror bridge crash
A major stretch of the M5 has been closed due to a huge crash during Friday morning rush hour.
A major stretch of the M5 has been closed this morning due to a vehicle crashing into a bridge, sparking travel chaos on the busy UK motorway during Friday morning rush hour.
Emergency services have rushed to the scene along the M5 in Somerset after reports of a lorry crash. It is unknown at this stage whether there have been any injuries.
An update on the National Highways website reads: "The M5 in Somerset is closed northbound between J25 (Taunton) and J24 (Bridgwater) due to a serious collision involving a vehicle that has collided with a bridge.
"Traffic has been stopped on the southbound carriageway to allow the Air Ambulance to land and attend the scene safely.
"Emergency services are in attendance and plans are being made to release traffic caught within the closure as soon as it is safe to do so."
Express.co.uk has contacted the emergency services for comment.
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M5 re-opens after horror smash
The M5 has now reopened following a serious collision this morning.
National Highways said: " The #M5 in #Somerset has re-opened northbound between J25 #Taunton & J24 #Bridgwater following a serious collision.
"Lane 1 remains closed for recovery, clean up and repairs. Thank you for your patience."
The #M5 in #Somerset has re-opened northbound between J25 #Taunton & J24 #Bridgwater following a serious collision.
\u2014 National Highways: South-West (@HighwaysSWEST) June 28, 2024
Lane 1 remains closed for recovery, clean up and repairs.
Thank you for your patience. pic.twitter.com/gYEh6IOuvo
Long tailbacks
There are currently long tailbacks on the M5, heading back towards Wellington, reports SomersetLive.
Video: footage from scene of horror M5 smash
A new video shows the air ambulance land at the scene of a serious collision on the M5.
Motorists have been warned to expect delays until midday.
M5: Air ambulance on scene of lorry crash
Expect delays motorists have been warned
Motorists have been warned to expect continued delays on the M5.
National Highways said: "Road users in the South West are advised to allow extra time for their journeys this morning following a serious collision which has closed the northbound carriageway of the M5 between junctions 25 and 24 near Taunton.
"An HGV struck a bridge parapet at around 6.30am. Once recovery is complete engineers will insect the bridge to ensure the road is safe to be reopened.
"Until then traffic is being diverted via the A38.
"With traffic still arriving at Glastonbury, road users should expect delays and allow additional time for their journeys or seek alternative routes."
M5 expected to be closed until midday
The M5 northbound between Taunton and Bridgwater will be closed until midday according to Google reports.
Southbound carriageway opens again as air ambulance takes off
The air ambulance at the scene of a serious collision has taken off.
The departure of the emergency craft means that traffic is flowing again on the southbound carriageway.
National Highways said: "The #M5 in #Somerset remains closed northbound between J25 #Taunton & J24 #Bridgwater following a serious collision.
"All lanes have re-opened on the southbound carriageway following the departure of the Air Ambulance."
The #M5 in #Somerset remains closed northbound between J25 #Taunton & J24 #Bridgwater following a serious collision.
\u2014 National Highways: South-West (@HighwaysSWEST) June 28, 2024
All lanes have re-opened on the southbound carriageway following the departure of the Air Ambulance.
More information here - https://t.co/TZUW1n0q9S pic.twitter.com/pygU23ZhJ8
Diversion route
A diversion route has been put in place after a serious collision on the M5.
The temporary route is as follows:
Road users travelling northbound are advised to follow the Solid Circle diversion symbol on road signs
Exit the M5 at J25 and at the roundabout take the second exit on to the A358 Toneway towards Taunton. Continue over the next roundabout to remain on the A358 Toneway. At the junction with the A38 turn right on to Bridgwater Road. Remain on the A38 northbound towards Bridgwater. At Sedgemoor roundabout take the fourth exit on to the A38 link road towards J24 of the M5. At the roundabout take the first exit on to the M5 northbound to re-join at J24.Further information is available from National Highways by visiting www.trafficengland.com
New image: Air ambulance lands at the scene
A new image has shown an air ambulance landing at the scene of a serious collision on the M5.
The M5 is closed northbound from Junction 25 in Taunton to 24 in Bridgwater after a lorry collided with a bridge today.
One person is injured and trapped
One person is injured and trapped following a serious collision on the M5 in Somerset.
Avon and Somerset Police said: " The M5 is closed n-bound from jnc 25 #Taunton to 24 #Bridgwater after a lorry collided with a bridge today, Fri 28 June.
"One person is reported as injured & trapped.
"Emergency services at scene. Pls seek alternative routes. Pls call 101 with dashcam/info ref log 145 of today."
The M5 is closed n-bound from jnc 25 #Taunton to 24 #Bridgwater after a lorry collided with a bridge today, Fri 28 June.
\u2014 Avon and Somerset Police (@ASPolice) June 28, 2024
One person is reported as injured & trapped. Emergency services at scene.
Pls seek alternative routes.
Pls call 101 with dashcam/info ref log 145 of today. pic.twitter.com/Nx08unNggw
Firefighters work to cut person free
Firefighters are fighting to free a lorry driver after a vehicle crashed into a bridge.
A statement from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said the driver of a lorry is currently trapped in their vehicle.
It said: "We currently have 3 Fire Engines and 1 Heavy Rescue unit, dealing with a single lorry road traffic collision on the M5 Northbound between junctions 25 and 24.
"The lorry has hit a bridge and the driver is trapped. Crews are currently at work liaising with Police and Ambulance crews and using hydraulic cutting equipment to release the casualty.
"Currently all 3 lanes northbound between junctions 25 -24 are closed," reports SomersetLive.
Traffic 'will be stopped' again in both directions
Traffic chaos on the M5 is not over.
Although cars are now moving on the southbound carriageway National Highways say it will be stopped again for an air ambulance to launch.
It said: "The M5 in Somerset is closed northbound between J25 (Taunton) and J24 (Bridgwater) due to a serious collision involving a vehicle that has collided with a bridge.
"Traffic was temporarily stopped on the southbound carriageway to allow the Air Ambulance to land, they have landed safely on the northbound carriageway. Traffic will be stopped again southbound when they are ready to depart.
"Emergency services are in attendance and plans are being made to release traffic caught within the closure on the northbound carriageway as soon as it is safe to do so."
Traffic released on southbound carriageway
Traffic is now flowing on the southbound carriageway of the M5 in Somerset after a serious collision ground things to a halt.
National Highways said: "The #M5 in #Somerset remains closed northbound between J25 #Taunton and J24 #Bridgwater following a serious collision. Traffic has now been released on the southbound carriageway, air ambulance has landed safely on the northbound carriageway."
The #M5 in #Somerset remains closed northbound between J25 #Taunton and J24 #Bridgwater following a serious collision.
\u2014 National Highways: South-West (@HighwaysSWEST) June 28, 2024
Traffic has now been released on the southbound carriageway, air ambulance has landed safely on the northbound carriageway.
More info - https://t.co/rPoUron8rx pic.twitter.com/1HIVrc1dlg
Welcome to our live coverage
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of this incident. The Express.co.uk will be bringing you live updates after a lorry crash has brought traffic on the M5 to a standstill.