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Two seriously injured in 15-vehicle crash on M5

George Thorpeand
Caroline Robinson,South West
News imageGraham Norman Several vehicles in a queue on the M5 carriageway, southbound, in DevonGraham Norman
There is queuing traffic following the crash which involved 15 vehicles in Devon

At least two people have sustained serious injuries in a multi-vehicle crash on the M5.

Devon and Cornwall Police said it happened on the southbound carriageway between junction 28, for the A373 Honiton Road at Cullompton, and junction 29, for the A30 at Exeter, at about 11:30 GMT.

Police said 15 vehicles had been involved, with ambulance and fire service crews also called to the scene.

The motorway was closed southbound at junction 28 until about 14:20 GMT when a lane reopened. National Highways said all lanes reopened just after 14:30 GMT with delays of at least 90 minutes reported.

News imageHighways Agency Queues on the M5 between junction 28 and 29. The carriageway closest to the camera is northbound.Highways Agency
The crash happened between junction 28 and 29

Devon and Somerset Fire Service said it had sent three appliances to the scene.

"One person was trapped and cut free of their vehicle by crews using hydraulic cutting equipment, they have been transported to hospital by air ambulance," a spokesperson said.

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust said one person had been taken by air ambulance to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth and another had be taken by an ambulance to Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

National Highways said the southbound carriageway was closed to allow emergency services to work safely at the scene.

It added the northbound carriageway was temporarily held to allow the air ambulance to land but had since re-opened.

A post on X by National Highways said while long delays remained at the scene, it expected the congestion to "start to ease".

News imageHighways Agency A police vehicle and a car on the bridge above the M5 at junction 28. The sounthbound carriage way is closest the camera and there is no traffic on it, showing it is closed.Highways Agency
Emergency services were called to the scene at about 11:30 GMT

Retired firefighter Graham Norman, from Braunton in Devon, said he was caught in the southbound tailback. He said: "We've been stationary since about midday."

He added: "We're in the middle of it, we could see the rear of the ambulances in the distance but we think they've kind of moved on to hospital now.

"We did hear what we thought was the air ambulance landing, although we didn't see it, but we counted about five ambulances, I think three fire engines and several police cars."

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