M5 traffic latest: Pictures show tipper truck crash that has closed motorway near Bristol

Photographs from the scene show part of the truck still attached to the gantry Credit: Carar Tyer

Dramatic pictures from the scene of a crash on the M5 show part of a truck attached to an overhead gantry.

The incident happened this morning (2 March) when a tipper truck collided with a gantry.

Following the crash, a road closure has been put in place between Junction 17 for the A4018 at Cribbs Causeway towards Bristol Airport and Junction 18 for the M49.

Avon and Somerset Police are at the scene of the incident, and say no injuries have been reported.

The M5 has been closed while emergency services deal with a crash Credit: Carar Tyer
The tipper truck smashed into an overhead gantry on the M5 near Bristol Credit: National Highways/PA

A spokesperson for the force said: “We were called to the M5 at around 8.20am today (Thursday 2 March) following reports of a tipper truck colliding with an overhead gantry on the southbound carriageway between junctions 17 (Cribbs Causeway) and 18 (Avonmouth).

“The motorway is currently closed in both directions.

“There have been no reported injuries.”

Drivers are being urged to avoid the area and find alternative routes.

Ray Morwood, South West Operations Manager for National Highways, said: “The M5 has been closed to protect the travelling public and we’re working as quickly as we can to assess the gantry damage and make safe the signage and fittings.

“The incident has occurred on a busy section of the M5, we are working with our police partners, and we appreciate this will cause significant delays to people’s journeys.

“In the meantime, we advise people to add a little extra time for their journeys, and to consider alternative routes where they can. We thank all drivers for their co-operation and patience and we’re working quickly to establish timescales for repair and recovery work.”