M5 closed - serious accident in Somerset

MOTORISTS planning on using the M5 this morning (Thursday, October 24, 2013) in the Burnham-on-Sea area of Somerset have been advised to find an alternative route

The M5 motorway is closed in both directions between junction 22 and 23 and is likely to remain closed for much of this morning.

At around 5.15am a car overturned on the southbound carriageway between the junctions for Burnham-on-Sea and Bridgwater. A short time later a second collision between a van and a lorry occurred in the same area. The collisions have resulted in at least one very serious injury and left debris scattered over the northbound carriageway and so the motorway has been closed in both directions.

Police are currently at the scene dealing with the incident and beginning their investigation into the circumstances of the collision, but have said it is a serious incident and so the road is expected to be closed for several hours.

Traffic is being diverted off the motorway at earlier junctions and police are working hard to turn around those vehicles stuck between the closed junctions. Traffic is being diverted along the A38 although this is likely to result in significant congestion along that route.

Superintendent Chris Weigold said: "This is a significant incident for us and we have been left with no option but to close the motorway. I know this will cause considerable disruption to motorists today as people try and get to work, meetings and to catch flights.

"While we will work to get the motorway open again as soon as possible people should expect the road to be closed for some time.

"If anyone else is planning to travel through that area today I would ask them to delay their journey if they can, and if they must travel to allow extra time for their journey and plan an alternative route."

Anyone who witnessed either of the collisions should contact the Collision Investigation Unit on 101.

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