Bad accident on M5 junctions 23-25

[Smart Mart]

Not sure if anyone is heading down this way tonight but don't bother, the motorway is closed following a horrific accident between junctions 23 and 25 (think that's Bridgwater and Taunton by memory).

There's a lot of extra traffic there tonight because of the carnival at Bridgwater which normally attracts in excess of 100,000 people and many look set to be in their cars for hours yet.

[boobles]

More info here mate. Sounds nasty.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... car pile up on M5

[RemaL]

Just seen it on the news..Christ

[jdwcd]

I was there minutes before. I must say what a stupid time and place to have a firework display next to the motorway. Most cars where spending more time watching the display rather than watching the road especially the conditions. And to the knob head that sped past me on the inside. You utter cock

[AngryApples]

jdwcd said:

I was there minutes before. I must say what a stupid time and place to have a firework display next to the motorway. Most cars where spending more time watching the display rather than watching the road especially the conditions. And to the knob head that sped past me on the inside. You utter cock

The display now seems to be considered a major contributing factor by the police judging by the news reports this afternoon

I was across the bridge at Chepstow having work done on the M3 at Forza West today and several people seemed to think the whole M5 (south of the old Severn Bridge) was shut down for some odd reason - did explain that J25 is miles away

Though the old severn crossing was closed eastbound (towards England) for surface works without any warning when you were coming across from Bristol - usual great notice from Severn Crossings then!

[xkrGiles]

I'm sure you will all agree, this horrific accident will of effected many families and our thoughts must go out to anyone touched or effected by injuries or even deaths.

Our thoughts are with them.

[Jon944S2]

jdwcd said:

I was there minutes before. I must say what a stupid time and place to have a firework display next to the motorway. Most cars where spending more time watching the display rather than watching the road especially the conditions. And to the knob head that sped past me on the inside. You utter cock

I got stuck in the traffic less than an hour after and all you could see was emergency vehicles travelling up the hard shoulder or the other side of the motorway, I have to say the police did well to get us all turned around and only kept us waiting for 2.5-3 hours. It still should never of happened but my thoughts are out there with all involved.

[yorkieboy]

As a Hgv driver, I allway's thought something like this would happen. Lane discipline, tailgaiting, peope on mobile phones. The best is when people come up the slip road come along side me. They look round and by joe there is a bright red 44 ton artic there, I think why don't A- just put your foot down and you'll be in front of me or B- Realise a 44 ton artic can't move out the way! I won't start on 5 series bmw's or mercs/audis doing a ton in the third lane in the rain! My heart goes out to the families involved and the emergency services.

[Stubby Pete]

Judging by the general driving earlier in the day in appalling conditions, I'm not totally surprised.
The liklihood is that poor driving by people who escaped was a contributing factor. Please all (including me obviously) think about that next time the visibility is reduced for any reason, be it spray, fog, firework smoke etc.

My condolences to friends and families of the (almost certainly innocent) victims.


Now turning to a selfish question: Doea anyone know if the Northbound is open again yet?

[MudSkipper]

Yes both sides reopened this evening.

[Jon944S2]

Was still showing up as closed when I went on the motorway earlier, they're reckoning it'll be reopened between 6 and 9 tomorrow morning now. Apparently some of the burnt vehicles have actually welded themselves to the road.

[MudSkipper]

Local radio and news are saying all 3 lanes north are open, only lane 3 south is currently closed.

[yorkieboy]

Gona be eery driving past there

[LFB531]

Horrified for the families and all involved, what a nightmare.

Know lots of folk at Taunton RFC. How on earth must they be feeling? Lots of headlines indicating it MAY be their fault as usual before any official outcome. It's a big community club and this will hurt them badly, guilty or not.

Tragic.

[anonymous-user]

jdwcd said:

I was there minutes before. I must say what a stupid time and place to have a firework display next to the motorway. Most cars where spending more time watching the display rather than watching the road especially the conditions. And to the knob head that sped past me on the inside. You utter cock

Would it be fair to suggest that regardless of where a firework display was being held, that drivers should be primarily concerned with driving?

In my experience, if you have been "undertaken" it's becuase you are driving dangerously/inconsiderately yourself.

My thoughts go out to all the victims/families, but the fault of this should not come to lie at the door of the rugby club, unless there was a flagrant disregard for safety eg - fireworks landing in the carriageway etc.

[jdwcd]

bmw535i said:

Would it be fair to suggest that regardless of where a firework display was being held, that drivers should be primarily concerned with driving?

In my experience, if you have been "undertaken" it's becuase you are driving dangerously/inconsiderately yourself.

My thoughts go out to all the victims/families, but the fault of this should not come to lie at the door of the rugby club, unless there was a flagrant disregard for safety eg - fireworks landing in the carriageway etc.

Dont you think having a display on a friday night with bad weather next to the motorway was a bad idea. I was there minutes before and thought what a fking stupid place to have it. Very bad driving but also very bad organisers.

[anonymous-user]

jdwcd said:

Dont you think having a display on a friday night with bad weather next to the motorway was a bad idea. I was there minutes before and thought what a fking stupid place to have it. Very bad driving but also very bad organisers.

You're probably right, but I'm sure the organisers wouldn't have taken into account that drivers were going to be watching the display as they drove past.

Driving home last night, there were hundreds of fireworks going off at various points on the journey, but I didn't let it distract my attention from the road.

[wessexrfc]

I joined the M5 @25 about 20:15 and the traffic was very heavy. One thing I noticed was due to light mist/fog some people felt it required them to hog the middle lane, turning the motorway into a dual carriageway. This has been covered a thousand times, but people need to use their common sense, no traffic in the inside lane?? then use it.

I have to agree, its a terrible place to have a bonfire and fireworks. It will distract even the most focused driver.

This, I'm afraid should never have happened. Having lots to do with Rugby, my hart goes out to those from Taunton RFC who could end up carrying the can on this terrible incident. They were trying to raise money and give everyone a great night, very sad

[jdwcd]

wessexrfc said:

I joined the M5 @25 about 20:15 and the traffic was very heavy. One thing I noticed was due to light mist/fog some people felt it required them to hog the middle lane, turning the motorway into a dual carriageway. This has been covered a thousand times, but people need to use their common sense, no traffic in the inside lane?? then use it.

I have to agree, its a terrible place to have a bonfire and fireworks. It will distract even the most focused driver.

This, I'm afraid should never have happened. Having lots to do with Rugby, my hart goes out to those from Taunton RFC who could end up carrying the can on this terrible incident. They were trying to raise money and give everyone a great night, very sad

Agreed.

must have just missed you, i was there around the same time