Forty hurt in 26-vehicle crash

Up to 40 people have been injured, seven of them seriously, in a crash on the M5 in Somerset involving 26 vehicles.

Police said they believed “people have lost their lives” in the crash, between junctions 23 and 26.

Two lorries were among four vehicles which are said to have caught fire in the accident shortly before 20:30 GMT.

The 18-mile stretch of the motorway is due to remain shut in both directions for at least 24 hours.

Motorists have been asked to avoid the area.

Emergency crews said they believed the weather may have been a contributory factor in the crash and witnesses described seeing thick fog at the time of the collision.

Earlier, part of nearby Bridgwater town centre had to be closed off amid fears a wall could collapse after heavy rain.

Six articulated lorries were involved in the collision, the fire service said

Paul Slaven, from the fire service, said emergency crews now believed there had been up to 40 casualties.

He said the nature of the injuries had not yet been confirmed but said police feared there could be several casualties.

Mr Slaven added he had not had any reports of any “toxic or chemical material” involved in the crash.

Earlier, a spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said they believed 10 casualties had suffered “life-changing” injuries and said it was “believed that people have lost their lives”.

Police are expected to release a helpline number for people concerned about relatives.

Around 50 firefighters are at the scene, along with 15 fire engines from Taunton, Glastonbury, Bridgwater, Wiveliscombe, Wellington, Burnham on Sea and Yeovil.

‘Petrol tanks’

The fire service said there had been some 20 “light vehicles” involved in the incident, along with six articulated lorries.

Jason Sharp, who had been at nearby Taunton Rugby Club at the time of the crash, said he saw “a number of explosions, petrol tanks that I believed were going up”.

He said: “I could see the black smoke rising up. There were a number of heavy goods vehicles that were on fire in the accident.”

He added: “I believe it was due to the fog and roads were wet.

“It was a really foggy night. Headlights weren’t making a different at all.”

Simon Bruford, 38, from Williton, in Somerset, said he was driving southbound when he passed the scene with his wife and son.

‘Was horrific’

He described the scene as one of “total carnage”.

“I could see the flames from quite a way back.

“I spent 18 years in the Somerset fire service and have seen a lot nasty things, but that was horrific.”

Local resident Becky Widdicombe said that at the time of the crash it had been “very foggy”.

Long tailbacks were reported on the motorway

Tim Shires, 29, from Bristol, said he got caught in the southbound traffic on his way to Plymouth for work.

He said a police officer was warning drivers not to expect to be moving for quite a few hours.

“We’ve been told a couple of helicopters could land on the carriageway,” he said.

“I’ve heard helicopters up above but nothing has landed but it’s foggy and visibility is poor.”

Avon and Somerset Police said the M5 was “likely to be closed for 24 hours” and appealed for drivers to avoid the area because of “huge tailbacks”.

The Highways Agency said the motorway closure was affecting people leaving the Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival.

“Diversion arrangements are being made but motorists leaving the carnival will have to find alternative routes to the M5,” a spokeswoman said.

Send r pictures and videos to rpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If have a large file can upload here.

Read the terms and conditions

— ’re ’s , . Five Filters recommends: Donate to Wikileaks.