M-way closed as lorry driver dies

The truck left the carriageway and burst into flames

A 10-mile stretch of the M5 may stay closed overnight after a lorry crashed into the central reservation and burst into flames in Gloucestershire.

The driver died in the accident on the northbound carriageway between junction 12 and 11A near Gloucester.

The 20-tonne truck was seen leaving the motorway and heading up an embankment before careering back down.

Police are now taking traffic off the motorway at junction 13, near Stroud. No other vehicles were involved.

Witnesses reported seeing the lorry leave the motorway's northbound carriageway. The truck travelled up the embankment before careering back down on to the motorway and crashing into the central reservation.

The driver's cab then burst into flames. Police officers carried out a thorough check of the carriageway and embankment before finding a body.

A Gloucestershire Police spokesman said it had not yet been possible to identify the driver.

The carriageway may need to be resurfaced after the accident.