Child and two adults die in horror crash as motorway remains closed

Yahoo

2 days ago

Three people including one child have died after a horror crash on a motorway near Wiltshire.
A second child has also been hospitalised with serious injuries following the incident, which saw a white BMW leave the northbound carriageway of the M5 in South Gloucestershire.
The crash took place at around 9pm on Friday, May 30 between junction 14 at Falfield and Michaelwood services.
Two adults in their 40s and one teenage child died in the crash.
Those travelling north from Wiltshire throughout Saturday have been warned the M5 remains closed between junction 13 at Stroud and junction 14 at the time of writing.
National Highways says there has been heavy traffic causing hour-long delays on the approach to the scene, where Avon and Somerset Police have been carrying out an investigation.
Inspector Mark Vicary, of the roads policing unit, said: 'Our thoughts first and foremost are with the child in hospital and loved ones who have received the most awful news overnight.
'A specially-trained officer will provide them with support at this difficult time.'
Suggested reading
Live: Police close major A-road as emergency crews respond to serious crash
Man's body found in water after police swarm canal
IN THE DOCK: All the latest cases from Wiltshire courts
Insp Vicary explained that the motorway needed to remain closed on Saturday morning to allow police to work safely at the scene.
He added: 'Emergency services have worked throughout the night at what has proved to be a very complex scene.
'They have worked diligently and professionally to try to save life in the most tragic of circumstances.
'It has been necessary to keep the road closures in place at this time to enable further collision investigation work during daylight hours.
'Vehicle recovery work still needs to be completed and National Highways will need to assess the carriageway and make any necessary repairs before it will be safe to reopen the motorway.'
While the northbound carriageway remains closed at the time of writing, the southbound carriageway reopened at around 11am.
Before this update, Insp Vicary said: 'As a result the M5 remains closed this morning and we estimate it will need to stay shut in both directions for the next few hours, however we are doing all we can to reopen it as soon as possible.
'We appreciate this closure is causing delays and disruption to the public, particularly at the end of the half-term break.
'But given the severity of this distressing incident, we hope the public can understand the reasons why this is necessary and ask them to consider alternative travel plans.'
Witnesses to the collision, or anyone with dashcam footage, are asked to contact police online or on 101 quoting reference number 5225151145.