Police update after man dies on M4 in South Gloucestershire

Avon and Somerset Police say a man in his 40s died after falling from a height and being struck by vehicles on the motorway. The incident happened at around 6.40pm on February 22 between junctions 20 (Almondsbury) and 21 (Awkley). Officers say they are treating the death as non-suspicious.

The man's next of kin have been informed and are being supported. A mandatory referral has been made to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) following previous police contact. A police spokesperson said: "We are grateful to members of the public who have come forward with information following the death of a man on the M4 motorway on Saturday.

"We understand from witnesses a man in his 40s fell from a height at around 6.40pm and was subsequently struck by vehicles. "The death is being treated as non-suspicious and his next of kin are being offered support during this difficult time. "Our thoughts and sympathies remain with them.

"A mandatory referral has been made to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) following previous police contact." The police spokesperson added: "We understand this incident may be distressing for some people and we urge you to seek support should you need it. "We would ask people not to speculate during this time and to respect the family's privacy."

A stretch of the M4 between junction 20 and junction 22 at the Prince of Wales Bridge over the River Severn was closed for several hours, as well as the eastbound section of the bridge and the M48 between the bridge and the M4.

National Highways said police started to release traffic caught on the M4 and M48 eastbound around midnight.

The eastbound M4 was reopened around 1.30am on Sunday with the westbound closures removed about 3am.