Bea Swallow
BBC News, Gloucestershire
PA Media
Two adults in their 40s and a teenager have been killed in a crash on the M5.
Avon and Somerset Police said a white BMW left the northbound carriageway of the M5 at about 21:00 BST on Friday, between J14 (Falfield) and Michaelwood services.
A second child has been taken to hospital after sustaining serious injuries in the single-vehicle crash, police said.
National Highways said “due to the severity of the incident and complexity of the vehicle recovery”, the M5 was likely to remain closed until about 16:00 BST.
‘Most tragic of circumstances’
Insp 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.
“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.”
‘Distressing incident’
He added: “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.
“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.”
Road users travelling northbound are advised to follow the solid triangle diversion symbol on road signs, exiting the M5 at J14 and turning left onto the B4509.
Road users travelling southbound are advised to follow the solid circle diversion symbol on road signs, exiting the motorway at J13 on to the A38.
Continue down the A38 southbound and re-join the M5 at J14.
