M5 traffic clears after another crash in Somerset

All lanes have reopened on the M5 in Somerset after two crashes this afternoon (October 22). A pedestrian was airlifted to hospital after being struck by a lorry near Taunton^[1] just after midday, after which the motorway was closed for some two hours while emergency services responded.

Just as the 10-mile queues^[2] were beginning to clear, another crash involving 'multiple vehicles' led to traffic being held again. National Highways tweeted just before 3.30pm: "Traffic is currently stopped on the #M5 northbound between J27 #Tiverton and J26 #Wellington due to a multi vehicle collision. Emergency services are on scene."

Traffic monitoring site Inrix added: "M5 Northbound partially blocked, queueing traffic due to accident and people slowing to look at accident on the opposite side after J26 A38 (Wellington)." Within half an hour all lanes had reopened and traffic is now looking clear.

This is a live blog and we will bring you more information as we get it.

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References

1. ^{^} after being struck by a lorry near Taunton (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
2. ^{^} 10-mile queues (www.somersetlive.co.uk)