M5 traffic: Fatal crash involving four lorries today closes northbound motorway near Worcester

The M5 is closed after a 35-year-old driver died in a crash involving four lorries.

There are long queues on the motorway as the northbound carriageway remains shut while a police investigation takes place. There has also been a large diesel spill on the road.

A second lorry driver had to be cut free from his vehicle and was then taken to hospital.

An initial collision happened at around 3am on the northbound carriageway today (3 August) between junctions 8 and 7.

The M5 was closed between these junctions and the crash was cleared.

However, there was then another collision involving the lorries between the same junctions shortly before 5am and so the road remains closed. This resulted in a "substantial diesel spillage" across three lanes of the motorway.

West Mercia Police are conducting a full collision investigation at the scene which will be  protracted due to the severity of the crash, National Highways said.

And once the investigation is complete a complex recovery and clean-up operation will be required and it is highly likely the road will then need to be resurfaced.

There are also severe delays on the diversion route on the A38 due to roadworks in the area which cannot be removed.

The decision was therefore made to close the M5 between junctions 9 (Ashchurch Interchange) and 7 (Whittington Interchange) to allow further diversion routes to be used.

There are currently delays of two hours to journeys between J11 Golden Valley Interchange (Cheltenham, Gloucester A40) and the closure at J9. In addition there are significant delays on local roads in the area including the diversion routes detailed below.

Diversion routes

For road users wishing to continue on the M5 northbound follow the route marked with a hollow triangle symbol on road signs:

• At J9 roundabout take the third exit from the roundabout on to the A46 eastbound

• Remain on the A46 to the double roundabout with the A4184/A44

• Take the first exit on to the A4184 and at the second roundabout take the first exit on to the A44

• Follow the A44 to the roundabout with the A4538

• Take the second exit from the roundabout on to the A4538

• Continue on the A4538 to J6 of the M5

• Take the fifth exit on to the M5 northbound

For road users wishing to join the M50 westbound follow the route marked with a solid triangle symbol on road signs:

• At J9 roundabout take the fourth exit back on to the M5 heading southbound

• Continue on M5 southbound to J11 and exit

• At J11 roundabout take the third exit on to the A40 westbound

• Remain on the A40 around Gloucester to the roundabout with the A417

• At the roundabout take the third exit on to the A417 northbound

• Remain on the A417 northbound to J2 of the M50

• Turn left to join the M50