A serious overnight crash on the M5 in Somerset brought a busy stretch of the motorway to a standstill after one person was airlifted to hospital and police closed the southbound carriageway for investigation work.
The multi-vehicle collision happened at about 2.15am on Saturday, May 10, on the southbound side of the M5 between Junction 24 for Huntworth, near Bridgwater, and Junction 25 for Taunton. Emergency services were sent to the scene, including ambulance crews and an air ambulance, as police and highways officers moved to secure the carriageway.
The incident initially affected both directions of the motorway. Northbound traffic was blocked for a period while emergency crews worked at the scene, but that side later reopened. The southbound carriageway remained shut through the morning as officers from Avon and Somerset Police carried out a detailed examination of the crash site.
National Highways warned drivers to expect delays and confirmed that the road would remain closed for several hours while the police investigation continued.
M5 closed between Junction 24 and Junction 25 after serious collision
The closure covered one of the most important sections of the M5 through Somerset, affecting traffic heading south towards Taunton, Exeter, Devon and Cornwall. Motorists travelling from the Bridgwater area faced long delays as traffic was diverted away from the motorway and onto local roads.
National Highways said the southbound carriageway was closed between J24 Huntworth and J25 Taunton following the serious collision. Trapped traffic was later released, with vehicles caught inside the closure moved away from the scene as emergency services completed their initial response.
Avon and Somerset Police said the crash happened in the early hours and confirmed the southbound side was expected to stay closed until around midday while investigation work continued. Police have not yet released full details of the casualtyâs condition or confirmed the total number of vehicles involved.
The air ambulance response underlined the seriousness of the incident. In major motorway collisions, emergency teams often have to close lanes in both directions so crews can reach casualties safely, recover damaged vehicles and protect investigators working close to live traffic.
Drivers were advised not to attempt to pass the closure or use unsuitable back roads to avoid the queue. When a motorway closure pushes large volumes of traffic onto smaller local routes, congestion can quickly build around nearby towns and villages.
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Official diversion route for southbound traffic
National Highways put a signed diversion in place for drivers heading southbound. Motorists were told to leave the M5 at Junction 24 Huntworth Interchange and join Huntworth Lane and the A38. From there, traffic was directed along Taunton Road and continued south on the A38 towards Taunton.
Drivers were then advised to use the A358 before rejoining the M5 at Junction 25 near Blackbrook Roundabout. The diversion was marked by the solid diamond symbol on local road signs.
The route is intended to keep traffic on roads that can handle heavier volumes, rather than sending drivers through narrow residential streets. Motorists using sat-nav apps were still urged to follow official signs, especially around Bridgwater and Taunton, where local roads can become heavily congested during motorway incidents.
The M5 is a key route for long-distance travel across the South West. A closure between Bridgwater and Taunton can affect commuters, freight traffic, weekend travellers and holidaymakers heading towards Devon and Cornwall. Even after lanes reopen, delays can continue while queues clear and traffic returns to normal.
Serious crash investigations can take several hours because officers may need to photograph the scene, map vehicle positions, collect debris evidence and check road conditions before recovery teams remove damaged vehicles. Highway teams may also need to inspect barriers, the carriageway surface and any fuel or fluid spill before the motorway is considered safe to reopen.
The latest M5 closure follows a number of recent motorway disruptions across the South West. Swikblog previously reported on another major Somerset incident after a tanker crash caused a diesel spill and long delays. Read that related report here: M5 closed in Somerset after tanker crash causes diesel spill and delays.
Motorists planning to travel through Somerset were urged to check live updates before setting off and allow extra journey time. Drivers already on the road were asked to approach queues carefully, keep emergency access clear and follow instructions from police and traffic officers.
Further updates are expected from Avon and Somerset Police and National Highways once the investigation work is complete and the southbound carriageway is cleared for reopening.
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