HGV drivers’ incredible intervention at concern for welfare incident

HGV drivers on the M5 near Taunton took incredible steps to protect a vulnerable person earlier today (Sunday, September 10). There were reports of traffic being stopped earlier this evening, with the National Police Air Service confirming there was a concern for welfare incident.

Supporting the police, who were trying to help the vulnerable person on one of the motorway’s bridges, they said several lorry drivers were on hand with offers of help. Multiple HGV drivers, from each carriageway offered their help and bought officers valuable time to help the person in crisis.

Each driver moved their lorry along the closed section of the carriageway and stopped their HGV underneath the bridge. NPAS described it as an “excellent intervention”.

The vulnerable person is now safe.

The NPAS South West and Wales Region posted on X (formerly Twitter): “We have deployed our Exeter aircraft to assist @ASPolice with a person in crisis on the #M5 at #Taunton. Excellent intervention by officers on scene means male is now safe. Fantastic to see #HGV drivers offering to help with their lorries to safeguard the person – thank you.”

References

1. ^{^} Somerset town named as top Autumn holiday destination (www.somersetlive.co.uk)