M5 crash multiple pile up near Taunton
By marion_TLocal | Saturday, November 05, 2011, 12:51
Police and emergency services have been woring around the clock on the M5 northbpund carriageway neat junction 25 after an horrific multiple vehicle crash last night just before 8.30pm.Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton and Yeovil District Hospital, together with experts called in from Exeter have been dealing with a large quantity of casualties with injuries including internal trauma,collapsedlungs and fractures. It is thought there were at least 10 fatalities at the scene.
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Taunton fire crews
Anyone worried about friends and relatives, if you have not been able to reach them by mobile or land line there is an emergency freephone number 0800 092 0410.
Cars vans and lorries were all involved with four reported to be on fire, including two lorries. There were 20 light vehicles and 6 articlulated lorriesinvolved At least 30 casualties were reported including four people who were trapped and had to be released by firefighters using hydraulic rescue equipment.
Police, fire and ambulance were in attendance all night with 15 fire engines special appliances called to the sene from Taunton, Glastonbury, Bridgwater, Wiveliscombe, Wellington, Burnham on Sea, and Yeovil.
Motorists in the Bridgwater and surrounding area are urged to avoid the M5. The motorway has now been closed in both directions from junctions 23 to 26. It is likely to remain closed for a number of hours yet.Motorists are asked to avoid the area.
Anyone who may have witnessed this collision is asked to call the Avon & Somerset Police collision investigation unit on 101.
There were reports of poor visibility due to fog and possible bonfire smoke, the roads were extremely slippery after earlier downpours.
Tauntonpeople would like to express our sympathies to anyone who was involved or have lost looved ones through this tragic accident.
Comments
M5 crash updateM5 in both directions remains closed between junctions 24 and 25.
A total of 34 vehicles were involved in the collision which happened around 8.25pm last night on the northbound carriageway.
Fifty one people have been confirmed injured. Of those 25 were taken to Yeovil District Hospital, 17 to Musgrove Park and nine to a temporary holding unit set up by the ambulance service.
Assistant Chief Constable Anthony Bangham, overall incident commander, said: "Seven people are confirmed to have died as a result of this tragic incident and we do believe there could be more deaths
"Our thoughts are with those who may have lost loved ones as a result of last nights collision.
"A large scale multi-agency operation continues at the scene to remove vehicles, check that there are no other casualties and repair the carriageway. This is a hugely complex operation because of the scale of vehicles and people involved.
"All vehicles will need to be removed from the scene for forensic examination and this of course takes time.
"Once the carriageway is clear a large operation will take place to repair the road surface and clear fuel spillages. It is anticipated the motorway will not open until tomorrow (Sunday) at the earliest however we will endeavour to keep the public informed as soon as we can".
By marion_TLocal at 12:57 on 05/11/11
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