Thirty hurt in 26-vehicle crash

Six articulated lorries were involved in the collision

Up to 30 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.

One witness described the scene as “horrific”. The 18-mile stretch of the motorway is due to shut for 24 hours.

Motorists are being 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.

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: “There are reports of between 25 and 30 injuries, 10 are believed to be life changing and it is believed that people have lost their lives.”

‘Black smoke’

A spokesman for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue said he could not recall having a road traffic collision on this scale for some time in this area.

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

Jason Sharp, who had been at nearby Taunton Rugby Club at the time of the crash, said: “What I could see from where I was was a number of explosions, petrol tanks that I believed were going up.

“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 Willerton, in Somerset, said he was driving southbound when he passed the scene with his wife and son.

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

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

Long tailbacks were reported on the motorway

“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”

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”.

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