Four people have died in a crash involving several vehicles, including a lorry, on the M5 motorway in south Gloucestershire, Avon and Somerset police said.
The force said the collision happened between junction 16 near Almondsbury and junction 14 near Falfield.
Avon and Somerset Police confirmed four people had died, with three others – a woman and two children – in a life-threatening condition in hospital. The lorry driver was also taken to hospital as a precaution.
The motorway is closed in both directions after the crash, which happened at about 2.30pm on Saturday.
#M5 accident photo from dash cam heading south. omg I hope everyone's ok pic.twitter.com/6intmObBq5
— wyevape (@wyevape) September 16, 2017
A lorry travelling on the southbound carriageway reportedly drove through a central reservation and into oncoming traffic, hitting several vehicles including a motorbike before ending up in a ditch on the side of the road.
Police said the motorway would be closed for “a considerable amount of time” with six-mile tailbacks likely to stretch into the evening.
Local reports said rescue crews attempting to reach the scene became stuck in traffic after motorists tried to escape the gridlock by driving the wrong way up the hard shoulder.
“Something must have happened and the lorry came across and suddenly the cars stopped,” said Katie Sultana, an eyewitness. “One car was completely destroyed, almost like there was only half a car left with what looked like somebody trapped inside.
“Everyone ran out of their cars and the public were incredible, they managed to help many casualties out of the accident.
“There were many people with blood on their bodies and then the car that had been forced down into the ditch with the lorry was surrounded by many men who were trying their hardest to get out the people inside … the emergency services were incredible, but honestly it was the worst crash I’ve ever seen.”
