M5 chaos: Major motorway brought to standstill following fatal crash with drivers warned of severe delays
Incident took place last night at 11pm
TRAFFIC ENGLAND
Drivers have been warned to expect severe delays on a major motorway this morning as police attend a fatal road incident.
The delays come after a 17-year-old girl died following a collision on the M5 motorway in Somerset, leading to a full closure between junctions 24 (Bridgwater) and 25 (Taunton).
The incident which took place at 11pm last night prompted a major police response, with Avon and Somerset Police leading the investigation.
National Highways warned of delays lasting till mid-day with four miles of congestion as police and highway officers attend the scene.
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Drivers warned of hour long delays on M5
TRAFFIC ENGLAND
The closure is expected to remain in place for a significant period to allow for thorough investigation work to take place.
Motorists are being advised to expect substantial delays and consider alternative routes for their journeys. The stretch of motorway between Bridgwater and Taunton is closed in both directions, affecting both northbound and southbound traffic.
Avon and Somerset Police confirmed the tragic news in a statement, saying: "The collision, involving a pedestrian and a car and sadly the pedestrian, a 17-year-old girl, died at the scene.
"Her next of kin have been informed and are being supported by a specially trained officer. Our thoughts are with them. No one else was injured in the collision. Our thoughts are with them."
The police force added that the motorway "is expected to remain closed for some time" whilst investigations continue at the scene.
The highways agency is working to assist drivers caught within the closure area.
"If you're stuck within the closure we'll get you turned around from the back of the queue but it's a slow process," National Highways added.
The closure is expected to continue throughout the mid-morning, with investigation work requiring an extended period to complete.
National Highways has resources on site to manage the traffic situation and assist stranded motorists. Drivers caught within the closure area are being turned around gradually, though authorities warn this is a time-consuming process.
Due to the serious nature of the incident, police investigators require sufficient time to conduct their work at the scene.
Motorists are being directed to follow specific diversion routes marked with diamond symbols for southbound traffic and circle symbols for northbound traffic.
Southbound drivers should exit at Junction 24, taking Huntworth Lane/A38 and following the A38 towards Taunton.
At the A358/A38 interchange, drivers should turn left onto the A358 before rejoining the M5 at Junction 25. Northbound traffic is advised to follow the reverse route, exiting at Junction 25 onto the A358 Toneway.
Drivers should then turn right onto the A38 and continue northbound towards North Petherton and Bridgwater.The northbound route rejoins the M5 at Junction 24.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Drivers advised to avoid the section and follow diversions in place
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All diversion routes are clearly marked with local road signs to assist drivers during this period. National Highways now estimates seven miles of congestion.
More to follow...
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