### Three Lives Lost in Major Motorway Collision Near Welsh Border
A tragic road traffic incident on the M5, close to the border between Wales and England, has claimed the lives of three people, including a teenager. The crash occurred late on Friday evening between junctions 14 and 13, near Falfield and Stroud, resulting in a significant emergency services operation and causing the motorway to remain closed into Saturday.
Authorities have confirmed that the victims included two adults in their forties and a young person. Alongside the fatalities, a fourth individual is currently receiving critical medical care in hospital as a result of the accident. The immediate next of kin have been notified and are being supported during what police described as “the most tragic of circumstances.”
The severity of the collision meant that both carriageways of the motorway were shut, causing considerable disruption for motorists. Many travellers returning at the end of the half-term break found their journeys delayed or diverted. Police have been urging drivers to seek alternative routes while investigations and safety assessments continue on the affected section of road.
Inspector Mark Vicary, from Avon and Somerset’s roads policing unit, addressed the public in a statement on Saturday. He praised the relentless efforts of emergency personnel at the scene, saying, “Our teams have worked throughout the night in a complex and distressing situation, doing everything possible to save lives and support those involved.” He added that the scale and seriousness of the crash meant the motorway was likely to remain closed for a considerable period while a thorough examination of the area took place.
Specialist investigators have been on site since the early hours, meticulously reconstructing the events leading up to the crash. Work includes not only gathering evidence but also checking the road surface for damage and ensuring it is safe for reopening. Police have stated that repairs to the carriageway may be required once their forensic work is complete.
Public reaction to the closure has been mixed; while many have expressed their condolences for those affected and their understanding of the continued disruption, others voiced frustration at the impact on local and long-distance travel plans. However, authorities have stressed that the closure is an unfortunate but necessary measure to ensure both the integrity of the investigation and ongoing road safety.
No further details regarding the identities of the victims or the precise cause of the collision have been released at this stage, as police continue their inquiries. Witnesses and anyone with dashcam footage from the area at the time are being encouraged to come forward, to support the investigation. Police have provided an online contact point and a non-emergency phone number for those able to assist, quoting reference 5225151145.
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers present on the UK’s busy motorway network. As emergency services work to uncover the full sequence of events, the local community remains in shock, and attention has once again been drawn to the importance of road safety.
Support for the bereaved families is being provided by specialist officers, with authorities expressing their deepest sympathies to all those affected by this devastating event. Further updates are expected as the investigation continues, with priorities for both finding answers and restoring access to the busy transport corridor as safely and quickly as possible.