Drivers on the M5 in Somerset experienced delays of up to two hours on Friday after a police incident near Bridgwater. The motorway was shut in both directions between Junction 23 at Puriton and Junction 24 at Huntworth, causing 12 miles of congestion.
Police respond to man on carriageway
Avon and Somerset Police responded to reports of a man walking on the carriageway, approaching vehicles and hitting cars. A witness told reporters: 'You could hear him shouting, but it didn’t make sense.' The force confirmed the closure was due to fears for the safety of an individual.
Roads reopen but delays persist
Despite the M5 and A39 reopening around an hour before the latest update, delays of up to two hours remained. One commuter told the Express: 'We are stuck in the traffic and have been for over an hour. We have got our 10-month-old baby in the car, which makes it a lot worse. There was no proper communication about the incident, and we had no idea it was this bad. Google Maps was only showing a 15 min delay!'
Incident resolved safely
Avon and Somerset Police said: 'We’re pleased to say this incident has come to a safe resolution. The M5 and A39 have both been reopened, but there is congestion. We’d like to thank the public for their patience and understanding during these necessary closures to keep everyone safe.'
Samaritans are available 24/7 for anyone in distress. Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org.
