M5 traffic UPDATES: Motorway closed as 3 people including child killed in crash
The M5 remains closed in place after three people were killed in a single-vehicle collision[1]. Sharing an update on Saturday, Avon and Somerset Police said a white BMW left the northbound carriageway[2] at approximately 9pm on Friday between junction 14 and the Michaelwood services. Two adults in their 40s and one teenage child who were travelling in the vehicle[3] have sadly died.
A second child sustained serious injuries and has been taken to hospital[4]. This live blog is now closed.
18:36KEY EVENTAll lanes now reopened
In the last few moments, National Highways have confirmed that all lanes are now open on the northbound M5. Traffic is now flowing again through the sliproad at junction 14, which had remained closed this evening.
All lanes now open on the #M5[5] northbound between J14 (#Falfield[6]) & J13 (#Stroud[7]).
The J14 northbound entry slip has also re-opened. No significant delays remain, thank you for your patience. pic.twitter.com/CTilg8UALO[8]
-- National Highways: South-West (@HighwaysSWEST) May 31, 2025[9]18:34Benedict Tetzlaff-DeasTwo lanes reopen but slip road remains shut
Avon and Somerset Police have confirmed that two lanes on the northbound M5 have now reopened. A sliproad at junction 14 remains closed.
17:13Benedict Tetzlaff-DeasOne of Britain's busiest motorways
The M5, which connects the Midlands to the South West, is one of Britain's busiest motorways, with millions using the route every month.
It's especially busy during weekends and school holidays, when motorists head to and from popular coastal spots like Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall.
16:08Benedict Tetzlaff-DeasWill the road reopen soon?
We've not yet had any confirmation from the police or National Highways as to when the road will reopen - but we'll be sharing this with you as soon as we have it.
15:12Benedict Tetzlaff-DeasCrash unfolded near service station
Last night's crash occured on the M5 near the Welcome Break service station at Michaelwood, located around 35 miles northeast of Bristol.
14:57Zahra Khaliq'No estimated re-opening time at present'
Responding to a query on when the M5 northbound might be re-opening, National Highways said: "There's no estimated reopening time at present." Drivers have been urged to keep an eye on the National Highways X/Twitter feed for further updates.
14:48KEY EVENTVideo shows huge traffic jam on M5 northbound
M5 has reopened southbound and clear , northbound however is still closed at Jct 14 and traffic going back a long long way , spare a thought for the family who didn't get home last night when moaning about it #m5traffic #traffic #Gloucestershire pic.twitter.com/JYitO1yJfT[10][11][12][13]
-- dave (@greenkeeperdave) May 31, 2025[14]14:10Zahra KhaliqCongestion on A38 between Stone and Falfield
The M5 Northbound remains fully closed while police continue to work at the scene of a collision that occured on the motorway last night. According to traffic monitoring website, Inrix, there is congestion on A38 between Stone and Falfield.
It states: "M5 Northbound closed, severe delays due to accident investigation work from J14 B4509 (Thornbury / Falfield) to J13 A419 (Stroud). Congestion to the A38 through Stone and Falfield as traffic diverts to avoid the closure. "Ongoing since late Friday night.
Diversion - northbound traffic should follow the Solid Triangle symbol along the A38 between Falfield and Whitminster."
13:32Zahra KhaliqBroken down vehicle on M5 in Somerset
A lane on the M5 has closed due to broken down vehicle Southbound from J21 A370 (Weston-super-mare) to J22 (Burnham-on-sea). Traffic is coping well.
11:50Zahra KhaliqM5 southbound re-opens
The M5 southbound has now reopened between J13 (Stroud) and J14 (Falfield). Northbound remains fully closed while officers continue to work at the scene, National Highways said.
There are currently delays in excess of 60 minutes on approach, with heavy congestion on the diversion route.
10:42Zahra KhaliqDelays of at least 60 minutes
National Highways warned that delays are building on approach of the closures of at least 60 minutes northbound and 45 minutes southbound. Witnesses and anyone with dashcam footage are asked to contact police online or on 101 quoting reference number 5225151145.
10:02Zahra KhaliqPolice urge witnesses to come forward
Police have asked members of the public to come forward with any information they may have on last night's crash. "Witnesses to the collision, or anyone with dashcam footage, are asked to contact police online or on 101 quoting reference number 5225151145," Avon and Somerset Police said.
09:14Zahra KhaliqLoved-ones supported by specially-trained officer
Friends and family of the crash victims are currently being supported by specially-trained officer.
Avon and Somerset Police 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."
09:10KEY EVENTM5 to stay closed for 'next few hours'
Avon and Somerset Police say 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. Officers estimate the M5 will stay closed for the next few hours as a result.
Inspector Mark Vicary, of the roads policing unit, said: "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. "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."
09:01KEY EVENTTwo children among dead and injured
Two adults in their 40s and one teenage child who were travelling in the vehicle have died from their injuries. A second child sustained serious injuries and they have been taken to hospital.
08:58KEY EVENTThree people dead and one seriously injured
Three people have died and a fourth is seriously injured after last night's single-vehicle collision on the M5 in South Gloucestershire, Avon and Somerset Police said. A white BMW car left the northbound carriageway yesterday at approximately 9pm between junction 14 (Falfield) and the Michaelwood services.
The M5 has been closed in both directions between junctions 14 and 13 since.
08:32Zahra KhaliqM5 still closed as drivers urged to plan ahead
National Highways says the the M5 remains closed this mroning in both directions between J14 (#Falfield) and J13 (#Stroud) following a serious collision which occurred last night. A police investigation is ongoing at scene and delays are now starting to build on approach. Drivers are being urged to plan ahead of their journeys today.
06:52Paige IngramPolice work is ongoing
The #M5[15] in #Gloucestershire[16] between J14 (#Thornbury[17]) and J13 (#Stroud[18]) remains closed both ways due to a serious collision.
Police investigation work is ongoing. There are no delays in the vicinity right now. More info, inc diversion routes found here: https://t.co/rPoUron8rx pic.twitter.com/Sk5b166ANo[19][20]
-- National Highways: South-West (@HighwaysSWEST) May 31, 2025[21]05:31KEY EVENTM5 will remain closed all morning
Motorists travelling on the M5 this Saturday morning can expect extensive delays with the entire motorway now expect to remain closed until the afternoon.
This is because of a "comprehensive investigation" being carried out by Avon and Somerset Police and the "complexity" of recovering one of the involved vehicles from the scene. Once this investigation is complete, further repair works are likely on the key route. Highways said in an update:
Upon completion of Police work at the scene, National Highways service providers will carry out an assessment of the infrastructure and commence any necessary repairs. The closure is expected to remain in effect until the afternoon. Delays are expected, please plan your journey accordingly
05:03Paige IngramM5 will remain closed 'for some time'
The M5 has remained closed in both directions throughout the night due to the "severity" of the earlier serious collision, which saw all of the emergency services in attendance.
In an early morning update, National Highways said that the the M5 closure, between Junctions 13 and 14, will likely remain in place "for some time" due to the ongoing investigation by Avon and Somerset Police. The update stated: "Police investigation works are in progress and we anticipate that road will remain closed for some time."
The #M5[22] in #Gloucestershire[23] between J14 (#Thornbury[24]) and J13 (#Stroud[25]) remains closed both ways due to a serious collision. Police investigation works are in progress and we anticipate that road will remain closed for some time.
There are no delays in the area at the moment. pic.twitter.com/BdoNWx32Hu[26]
-- National Highways: South-West (@HighwaysSWEST) May 31, 2025[27]00:33Paige IngramExtended closure will allow 'thorough' investigation
Highways officials have given the reason behind the expected lengthy closure of the M5 tonight, which currently has all emergency services in attendance. Once the accident's aftermath has been dealt with, Avon and Somerset Police are expecting to carry out a 'thorough' investigation into the 'serious collision', which saw an air ambulance land nearby. National Highways said in an updated statement: "Given the severity of the incident, the closure is expected to remain in place for an extended period to allow for a thorough police collision investigation."
23:31Paige Ingram'Road will remain closed for a while'
In a late night update, National Highways said: "The M5 remains closed in both directions between J14 (Thornbury) and J13 (Stroud) due to a serious collision.
"Avon and Somerset Police and South West Ambulance Service are leading at the scene. Due to the nature of the incident, the road will remain closed for a while." The Mirror has contacted Somerset Police and South West Ambulance Service for more information.
23:25Paige IngramM5 southbound diversions
Road users travelling southbound are advised to follow the Solid Circle diversion symbol on road signs:
- Exit the M5 southbound at J13 onto the A38 (southbound)
- Continue down the A38 southbound and re-join the M5 at J14
National Highways advises: "If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time.
Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey."
23:25Paige IngramM5 northbound diversions
Road users travelling northbound are advised to follow the Solid Triangle diversion symbol on road signs:
- Exit the M5 northbound at J14 and turn left onto the B4509
- At the junction with the A38, turn right and join the A38 northbound
- Continue on the A38 northbound, passing through the villages of Cambridge and Claypits, to then re-join the M5 northbound at J13
'All emergency services in attendance'
National Highways has said in an update: "All Emergency services including Avon and Somerset Police are in attendance.
National Highways Traffic Officers are also in attendance assisting with traffic management."
23:22Paige IngramNational Highways latest
Following a serious collision, the #M5 is currently closed in both directions between J14 (#Thornbury) and J13 (#Stroud).
All emergency services including the air ambulance are in attendance. #TrafficOfficers are assisting with strategic closures on the approach. pic.twitter.com/cZ6Ry7gkow[28][29][30][31][32]
-- National Highways: South-West (@HighwaysSWEST) May 30, 2025[33]References
- ^ collision (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ northbound carriageway (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ travelling in the vehicle (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ hospital (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ #M5 (twitter.com)
- ^ #Falfield (twitter.com)
- ^ #Stroud (twitter.com)
- ^ pic.twitter.com/CTilg8UALO (t.co)
- ^ May 31, 2025 (twitter.com)
- ^ #m5traffic (twitter.com)
- ^ #traffic (twitter.com)
- ^ #Gloucestershire (twitter.com)
- ^ pic.twitter.com/JYitO1yJfT (t.co)
- ^ May 31, 2025 (twitter.com)
- ^ #M5 (twitter.com)
- ^ #Gloucestershire (twitter.com)
- ^ #Thornbury (twitter.com)
- ^ #Stroud (twitter.com)
- ^ https://t.co/rPoUron8rx (t.co)
- ^ pic.twitter.com/Sk5b166ANo (t.co)
- ^ May 31, 2025 (twitter.com)
- ^ #M5 (twitter.com)
- ^ #Gloucestershire (twitter.com)
- ^ #Thornbury (twitter.com)
- ^ #Stroud (twitter.com)
- ^ pic.twitter.com/BdoNWx32Hu (t.co)
- ^ May 31, 2025 (twitter.com)
- ^ #M5 (twitter.com)
- ^ #Thornbury (twitter.com)
- ^ #Stroud (twitter.com)
- ^ #TrafficOfficers (twitter.com)
- ^ pic.twitter.com/cZ6Ry7gkow (t.co)
- ^ May 30, 2025 (twitter.com)