Drivers on the M5 in Somerset faced delays of up to two hours on Friday after a large police incident near Bridgwater. The motorway was shut in both directions between Junction 23 at Puriton and Junction 24 at Huntworth, resulting in 12 miles of congestion.
Police incident details
Avon and Somerset Police responded to reports of a man walking on the carriageway, approaching vehicles and hitting cars. A witness told Metro: “You could hear him shouting, but it didn’t make sense.” The force said the closure was due to fears for the individual’s safety.
The motorway and the A39 have since been reopened, but congestion remains. Police confirmed the incident came to a safe resolution.
Impact on drivers
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!”
Avon and Somerset Police thanked the public for their patience, stating: “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.”
Support services
Samaritans are available 24/7 for anyone in distress. You can call them for free on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, or visit samaritans.org for more information.
