Van driver dies in horror M5 Gloucestershire crash

The motorway was closed for over 17 hours

12:02, 07 May 2026

The empty M5 at sunset amidst a police closure.(Image: National Highways)

A man has died after a two-vehicle crash on the M5 which closed the motorway for over 17 hours[1].

Emergency services were called to the M5 near junction nine (for Tewkesbury[2]) after a crash at around 12.20pm yesterday (Wednesday, May 6).

Gloucestershire Police[3] said the crash involved a white Luton Van and a Volkswagen Transporter.

The driver of the van, a man in his 30s and from Warwickshire, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The occupants of the Volkswagen Transporter were not seriously injured, police said.

Due to the crash, the M5 northbound carriageway was closed between junctions 11 and nine[4] while investigations took place.

There were several miles of congestion as drivers faced severe queues due to the closure.

Nearby roads in Gloucester[5] and Cheltenham[6], including the A417[7], saw increased traffic as a result.

The motorway reopened earlier this morning before 6am.

A spokesperson for Gloucestershire Police said: "Officers would like to thank motorists for their patience and co-operation during the closure.

"Investigating officers are now appealing for anyone who witnessed the collision, saw either vehicle prior to the collision, or has any relevant dashcam footage to get in contact.

"Information can be submitted to police by completing the following online form and quoting incident 227 of 6 May: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/[8]."

References

1. ^ closed the motorway for over 17 hours (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
2. ^ Tewkesbury (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
3. ^ Gloucestershire Police (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
4. ^ closed between junctions 11 and nine (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
5. ^ Gloucester (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
6. ^ Cheltenham (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
7. ^ A417 (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
8. ^ https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/ (tracking.vuelio.co.uk)