Motorway opens after fatal crash

The accident spilled across both carriageways of the motorway

A stretch of the M5 in Somerset where a man died in an accident involving 14 cars has reopened.

The crash happened on Monday night, on the northbound carriageway between junctions 25 and 26 near Taunton.

The man got out of his car, which had come to rest in the central reservation and tried to cross the carriageway but was hit by oncoming cars.

More than a dozen paramedic crews treated 27 people at the scene, one with serious head injuries.

Avon and Somerset Police said the man who died was in his 40s and not thought to be local.

'Heroic actions'

It is believed his Rover ZS collided with an articulated lorry, swerved across the lanes, was struck by another car and forced into the central reservation.

Some 20 police units, four fire appliances and 13 ambulances attended the crash which spilled across both carriageways of the motorway.

Ken Wenman, Chief Executive of the South West Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said staff worked "tirelessly and heroically" at the crash site.

"I know I comment on behalf of all the service that our hearts and minds are with the families and friends of those involved in this horrendous crash.

"I would also like to pay tribute to and commend the heroic actions of my staff who worked tirelessly to treat the 27 people on scene, not forgetting the hard work of backroom staff in the Exeter 999 control room who coordinated the responding ambulances to get them to the scene within minutes."

Police are appealing for witnesses to the accident which happened at about 1900 GMT, a mile north of the Taunton Deane service area.