M5 closed in Somerset as pedestrian, 17, dies in collision


A tragic incident occurred on the M5 motorway in Somerset which resulted in the closure of both directions. A 17-year-old girl lost her life in a collision involving a pedestrian and a car. The accident happened shortly before 11 pm on Monday between junctions 24 for Bridgwater and 25 for Taunton. The police confirmed that the girl had died on the scene and notified her next of kin while there were no other injuries associated with the accident.

This unexpected event led to the closure of the M5 motorway in both directions for investigation. National Highways declared that the road would be closed through Tuesday morning while the inquiry is being carried out. The police also reported a referral had been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct due to recent prior police contact. They urged anyone who witnessed the tragedy or had dashcam footage which could be useful for the investigation to contact them.

The M5 motorway stretch in Somerset, one of the arterial links in England, is often busy with all kinds of traffic. Incidents such as this cause severe disruptions and inconvenience to both drivers and their passengers. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, traffic levels on the M5 fell significantly over the past year. However, with lockdowns gradually easing and staycations increasing, the traffic flow on the motorway has started to return to higher levels. The safety of all the road users must be taken seriously, and authorities must ensure that all measures to address the situation are put in place and followed.

It’s heart-breaking to hear that such an event could result in the loss of someone’s life, particularly for someone so young. Those affected by the accident are undoubtedly going through a difficult time, and our thoughts and prayers are with them. Tragedies like this serve as a stark reminder of how unpredictable life could be, and everyone should exercise caution and get enough rest before driving to avoid such avoidable mishaps

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More