M5 live: Police reopen motorway after serious crash

Police closed a stretch of the M5 for several hours following a serious crash this afternoon. Officers confirmed that the collision involved a car and a lorry.

The motorway closed at about 1pm heading northbound between junction 7 for Worcester and junction 8. There were long delays running back to Cheltenham.

West Mercia Police initially reported: "Officers are currently at the collision on the M5 between Junction 7 and Junction 8. The collision is between a car and lorry." About an hour later it said the southbound carriageway had fully reopened, and one lane on the northbound carriageway.

Traffic monitoring site Inrix added: "M5 Northbound closed, long delays due to accident, a lorry and a van involved between J8 M50 and J7 A44 (Worcester / Evesham ). Congestion to J10 ( Cheltenham ). The opposite side due to onlookers. The A38 through Kempsey is congested as traffic seeks an alternative."

National Highways confirmed at 4.45pm that the final two lanes on the northbound carriageway had reopened. The collision was described as 'serious' and the air ambulance attended.

This is a live blog. Scroll down for updates.

References

1. ^{^} Person in Bristol hospital after two air ambulances land at M5 medical emergency (www.bristolpost.co.uk)