Motorbike rider airlifted to hospital in M5 crash near Bridgwater

It happened earlier this morning between junctions 23 and 24 - Bristol Airport are warning traveller to take extra time getting there

Author: Oliver MorganPublished 11th Aug 2023
Last updated 20th Jun 2024

Traffic has been blocked on the M5 in both directions this morning - because of a serious accident near Bridgwater.

It happened on the northbound carriageway earlier this morning between Junctions 23 and 24.

The road was closed at about 10:45 this morning, according to traffic reporting site INRIX - with the air ambulance rushed to the scene shortly after.

Drivers in both directions told to expect long delays as the emergency services deal with the incident, however just the northbound carriageway remains closed.

Bristol Airport are urging all motorists in the area to take extra time getting to the site following a closure of the Northbound lanes, with traffic backing up in both directions earlier on today.

In a statement, Avon and Somerset Police tell us: "The M5 has been closed northbound between junctions 23 and 24 following a collision between a car and a motorcycle at about 10.30am this morning (Friday 11 August).

"Police and paramedics have attended the scene. The motorcyclist is being conveyed to hospital by air ambulance.”

A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We were called at 10:29 to a road traffic collision on the M5 near Bridgwater.

"We sent an air ambulance, a doctor, an operations officer and two double-crewed land ambulances. We conveyed one patient by air to Southmead Hospital.”

Police have confirmed the incident happened between a BMW car and a motorbike.

In an update, a spokesperson added: "We are seeking witnesses and any dashcam footage following a collision on the M5 earlier today (Friday 11 August).

"Emergency services were called after a collision between a silver BMW 1 Series and a black Triumph motorbike on the northbound carriageway between junctions 23 and 24. The incident happened at approximately 10.30am, about half a mile before the junction 23 exit.

"The air ambulance has conveyed the male motorcyclist to hospital with serious injuries.

"The northbound carriageway remains shut this afternoon to allow collision investigation work to be carried out, plus vehicle recovery. We’d advise motorists seek an alternative route at this time.

"We’re particularly keen to hear from any motorists who were in the area at the time and may have witnessed the incident or either vehicle before the collision occurred.

Anyone with information that could help our enquiries is asked to call 101 and quote reference number 5223193630."

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