A driver has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and driving while unfit through drink or drugs following two separate crashes on the M5 near the Almondsbury Interchange.
The incidents occurred on Wednesday evening, September 2, on the M5 northbound and M4 westbound at junction 20 of the M5 and junction 15 at the Almondsbury Interchange. National Highways confirmed that, as a direct result of the collision, traffic was unable to join the M4 westbound from either direction.
Emergency services attended the scene, with some witnesses reporting that stranded motorists had stepped out of their vehicles on the motorway while traffic was at a complete standstill.
Police detail the sequence of events
Avon and Somerset Police provided further details about the incidents and the road closure. A spokesperson said: "We were called at just after 9pm yesterday on Wednesday 2 September to the Almondsbury interchange on the M5 northbound and M4 westbound following reports of a collision."
The spokesperson added: "The initial report was of a car which had collided with the central reservation of the carriageway. The driver of the car then got out of his vehicle and was involved in a further collision involving two other vehicles travelling on the M4 carriageway."
Injuries and hospital treatment
The driver and passenger of the initial vehicle were taken to hospital, where the passenger has since been discharged. The driver, who has been arrested and remains under police supervision in hospital, is not thought to have life-threatening injuries but are potentially life changing.
The drivers of the other cars involved are aiding police with enquiries and are being treated as witnesses, according to the spokesperson.
Roads reopened and appeal for information
Both carriageways were closed while emergency services attended but reopened at 10.30pm on the same evening. Police have appealed for anyone with information or who witnessed the collision or the moments that followed to call 101 and quote reference 5226252893.
