BBC News Online: UK: England

Pensioner's fast-lane mayhem

Three cars were wrecked as they tried to avoid the elderly driver on the M5 in Devon at 2030 GMT on Thursday.

After receiving dozens of phone calls from other drivers, police set up a road block to stop the pensioner.

A police spokesman said the man, from Paignton in Devon, was confused when he was finally brought to a halt.

Cars swerved

The man, driving a Peugeot 206, joined the M5 at junction 27 near Tiverton at about 2015 GMT.

He then drove his car the wrong way along the fast lane of the northbound carriageway at about 50 mph causing other cars to swerve to avoid him.

Police finally managed to stop the Peugeot at junction 29.

Three cars collided near Exeter as they tried to get out of the path of the Peugeot.

Confused driver

Although the vehicles were seriously damaged by the crash, no one was injured.

WPC Sharon Newman, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said it was "very fortunate" no one was hurt.

"He was obviously very confused when he was stopped but he wasn't injured.

"They took him home and inquiries are continuing into what happened.

"We have had cases of this happening before but obviously it was a long distance he travelled."

The man has not been charged.