Police Continuing With Investigations Into Incident

Avon and Somerset Police are continuing their investigations into a serious 34-vehicle crash on the M5 on Friday night (November 4th) which left seven people dead and 51 injured.

Details are now being released into the victims of the crash, which happened on the northbound carriageway of the road close to junction 25 near Taunton.

Officers investigating the incident have confirmed they do not know what caused it, but confirmed their main line of enquiry was based around witness reports that a bank of smoke had formed across the motorway when it happened.

They are now working with the organisers of a nearby fireworks event at Taunton Rugby Club in order to learn more about conditions at the time.

Irwin Mitchell’s road accident claims experts specialise in providing support to those seriously injured in road traffic collisions, helping those who have suffered serious injuries in such incidents to access rehabilitation and care that can play a vital role in their recovery.

Jonathan Peacock, a Partner at the firm’s Bristol office with expertise in such cases, said: “Our thoughts go out to all of those who have been affected by this terrible tragedy.

“While the current focus should undoubtedly be placed on ensuring those affected get access to the support and treatment they need, it is also vital that officers work quickly and thoroughly to examine how this incident came to occur and determine what safety lessons can be learnt from this awful pile-up.

“This incident is also likely to raise questions on road safety in general, as well as reignite the debate over the plans to increase the speed limit on motorways to 80mph.

“However, the fundamental priority now is to work to ensure that the same devastating events will not happen to anyone else in the future and we hope that the investigation will lead to a general improvement in standards of motorway safety across the UK.”