Dramatic photographs have been shared of the aftermath of a serious crash involving a lorry on the M5.
Casualties were cut free from their vehicles and rushed to hospital following the four vehicle smash on the motorway yesterday (May 16).
Emergency services were called to the northbound carriageway near Avonmouth just after 7.15am.
The motorway was closed between J18 Avonmouth and J17 Cribbs Causeway and remained shut for more than five hours.
One witness said: "The bang was like bomb going off and a cloud of dust filled my mirror across all three lanes."
Pictures taken at the scene and shared on Twitter show extensive damage to the front of the lorry involved in the crash.
DFS statement
DFS confirmed yesterday (May 16) that a delivery crew were injured and receiving treatment in hospital.
"We can confirm that a DFS delivery crew was involved in a road traffic accident on the M5 this morning.
"We have a local team supporting the three DFS team members that have been taken to hospital.
"At this time our primary concern is the wellbeing of those involved in the incident.
"We have no further information about the cause but the health and safety of our employees is of upmost importance to us and we will work with the relevant authorities as they investigate the accident."
Ambulance statement
An ambulance spokesperson said: "South Western Ambulance Service were called at just before 7.15am to a multi vehicle road traffic accident on the M5 at Junction 18 (northbound)," he said.
"We sent several resources to the scene including three ambulances, the critical care team and senior paramedics.
"Two patients were treated at the scene and have been taken by land ambulance onto hospital."
Police statement
The injuries are "not believed to be life-threatening", according to a police spokesman.
M5 crash: Full statements from emergency services and Bristol Airport after M5 northbound closed
Avon Fire and Rescue added the patients were rescued from their vehicles while a third casualty was also taken to hospital.
"Two casualties were rescued using heavy rescue equipment and assessed by ambulance crews before being conveyed to hospital," a fire service spokesman said.
"One casualty self rescued prior to crews arrival and was also conveyed to hospital."
