At least four people have died in a crash on the M5 motorway after a lorry smashed through the central reservation and collided with several vehicles.
Avon and Somerset Police said the collision happened between junction 16 near Almondsbury in south Gloucestershire and junction 14 near Falfield at 2.30pm on Saturday.
The force said “four people are believed to have died and a number of others have been taken to hospitals in the Bristol area”.
The motorway is closed in both directions. Highways England said there was approximately three miles of “trapped” traffic on the northbound carriageway.
Police said the motorway would be closed for “a considerable amount of time”.
Traffic queues after the crash (PA)
Cardiologist Amer Hamed, who was in a car travelling “10 to 20 seconds behind” the crash, told the BBC: “There was a lorry involved and at least two other cars. One was absolutely destroyed and another had flipped over.”
Along with other medically-trained motorists, he stopped to help an injured woman.
Dr Hamed added: “People are helping as much as they can. Several people offered us water and one man came out of his car to give food. We’re going to be stuck here for a few hours yet.”