M5 reopens following six hour closure due to ‘serious accident’
Traffic is being turned around at jjunction 22. Picture: Highways England - Credit: Highways England
A ‘serious incident’ forced the closure the M5 this morning (Saturday) – but after six hours, it has reopened.
An accident took place shortly before 6am.
A car collided with the back of a lorry and the driver was trapped in the vehicle.
The incident has occurred between junction 22 (Burnham-on-Sea) and junction 23 (Bridgwater) on the southbound side.
A Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "On arrival the Incident Commander confirmed that a car had run in to the back of a lorry and become stuck under the rear of the lorry with one female casualty still inside the car.
"Crews quickly got to work to stabilise the vehicle and then set about extricating the casualty from the car using Hydraulic Rescue Equipment.
"The female was taken by ambulance to hospital and the driver of the lorry was treated for shock."
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Traffic trapped by the crash wasturned around so drivers could return to junction 22.
There were delays on both the M5 southbound stretching back to Sedgemoor Services and on the A38 diversion route.
A Highways England spokesman said: "The M5 in Somerset has reopened southbound between junction 22 (Burham on Sea) to junction 23 (Bridgwater) following an incident this morning.
"There are several delays of over two hours in the area that includes the diversion route on the A38 through Highbridge.
"Avon and Somerset Police have completed investigation work at the scene, the carriageway has been cleared and traffic officer crews and service providers have opened the road.
"If travelling towards this area from much farther afield, delay information will remain visible on our on-road variable message signs until delays have cleared."
