A tragic collision on the M5 motorway resulted in the death of a man and left others injured, prompting a police investigation and significant traffic disruption. The incident occurred near junction 28, southbound, late on Thursday, September 18, following an earlier crash near junction 27.
Emergency services were first called to a three-vehicle collision near junction 27 at approximately 9:50 p.m. A man involved in that incident sustained serious injuries and was hospitalized.
Shortly before 11:10 p.m., officials responded to a second, more severe collision involving four vehicles close to junction 28. Tragically, a man in his 30s from Plymouth was pronounced dead at the scene. Four other individuals were also transported to hospital, with injuries reported as non-life-threatening.
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Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that a man in his 40s from Cullompton has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and is currently in custody. The force has informed the deceased’s next of kin.
Following these incidents, the M5 was closed in both directions between Tiverton and Cullompton to facilitate investigations. Northbound lanes reopened around 11:30 a.m. Friday, but the southbound carriageway remains closed.
Authorities are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dash-cam footage related to these crashes to contact them at 101 or via the police website, quoting log 859 of 18 September.