**Motorway Horror as Lorry Crosses Central Reservation, Narrowly Avoids Devastating Collision**
Motorists on the M5 motorway experienced a terrifying incident on Friday, 1st August, when a lorry veered out of control, smashed through the central reservation, and sped the wrong way down the northbound carriageway. The near-tragic event took place between junctions 28 and 29, near Cullompton and Exeter, around 12:23pm.
Dashcam footage recorded by Peter Stone, a 55-year-old father-of-two from Reading, Berkshire, captured the harrowing moment. Stone, who was driving his Porsche 911 after a family trip to St Agnes, recalled the incident with palpable shock. “It literally came out of nowhere. I had less than two seconds to move before being hit by the tipper driver,” Stone reported, describing his split-second reaction that may have saved his life.
According to Stone, his view had been initially obscured by a dark-coloured car in front, and his sports car’s low profile made it more difficult to spot the imminent hazard. The lorry, painted a bright yellow, caught the corner of his eye just in time for him to swerve sideways into the centre lane. Remarkably, he managed to avoid not only the lorry but also the vehicles to either side, making a narrow escape from what could have resulted in a catastrophic crash.
Stone, who holds an HGV licence and manages a fleet for a waste company, said he was surprised that the incident didn’t result in multiple vehicles colliding with the out-of-control truck. “I spoke to the transport company afterwards. My first concern was for everyone’s safety. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, which is honestly a miracle,” he said. Stone immediately pulled over and dialled 999, fearing the worst as emergency services rushed to the scene.
The entire scene was recorded by dashcams fitted at the dealership when Stone purchased his Porsche in December. Reflecting on the incident, he admitted the shock left him unsettled for several nights. “I’ve seen dashcam footage online of lorries crossing into oncoming lanes, but it’s something else entirely when it happens right in front of you. I kept replaying the scene in my mind, realising how little separated me from serious injury or death,” Stone revealed.
In the aftermath, emergency services responded swiftly to the chaos. National Highways confirmed the motorway was closed in both directions for over an hour, with the first two lanes reopening shortly after 1:30pm. The motorway, however, required further repairs overnight to restore safety barriers damaged during the incident. According to a spokesperson, the M5 was fully reopened by around 3:30am on Saturday.
Devon & Cornwall Police, as well as the South West Ambulance Service, attended the incident. Thus far, neither organisation has released detailed public comments, but their rapid response was vital in preventing further dangers amid significant disruption to traffic.
Incidents like this highlight the unpredictable hazards facing motorists every day on Britain’s motorways. In this case, the combination of quick reflexes and a degree of luck contributed to avoiding a major tragedy, offering a timely reminder of the importance of vigilance and remaining calm under pressure.
As investigations continue into how the lorry lost control, road users are urged to remain alert for unexpected dangers, especially as travel volumes rise during the holiday period. The quick thinking of Peter Stone, and the coordinated response of emergency services, ensured that an event which could have been headline-grabbing for all the wrong reasons instead became a story of near-miss survival.