M5 Crash.

[Bert]

Shocking scenes. Multi car smash junction 25 on the m5. Going to be closed for 24 hours from J23-J26, some 12 miles. 30 injured, 10 people thought to have suffered life changing injuries, some dead.

Lorries, cars on fire. On any news channel right now.

Thoughts with the families.

[MikeyT]

I was travelling back to Leicester dwn the M1 earlier and saw a huge crash with about 12 Police cars there and 3 cars in a bad way. Tailbacks going back for miles.

But this was the M1 not the M5. How many bad crashes tonight?

[lcfcadam]

Jeez, looks almost apocalyptic.

[I am Rod Hull]

I was travelling back to Leicester dwn the M1 earlier and saw a huge crash with about 12 Police cars there and 3 cars in a bad way. Tailbacks going back for miles.

But this was the M1 not the M5. How many bad crashes tonight?

My Mrs traveled down the M1 today and said the same thing...

M5 pile up looks horrific...

[jonno24]

Got a phone call about this from a work collegue as one of our Lorry's was involved in the crash. hope the driver is ok

[BoneDog]

Just turned on Sky News and this looks really bad. Horrible.

What has caused the massive fires? A tanker with fuel or something?

Edit, reporter just said something about a fuel truck, and she said that the road will need resurfacing.

My thoughts go out to all involved.

[StanSP]

One of my friends text me about this (not in detail) and I underestimated just how bad it was til I came on here and read about it.

Apparently one of the worst in memory for some of the firemen attending the scene.

Horrible . Thoughts with all friends and families of those who have died tonight

[Lineker's Left Foot]

This seems to be happening more and more.. wonder if it is some pr*ck on his mobile whilst driving... if you're caught IMO, it should be instant jail and car crushed. People would soon learn.

[MikeyT]

This seems to be happening more and more.. wonder if it is some pr*ck on his mobile whilst driving... if you're caught IMO, it should be instant jail and car crushed. People would soon learn.

I obviously don't know the reasons behind the crash on the M5, but i'd hazard a guess at the heavy rain last night. When i was driving back down the M1 to Leicester it was tipping it down and there was no end of surface spray as well, plus a lot of idiots still driving in those conditions at easily 80mph + speeds and in the dark.

[The Year Of The Fox]

Probably nothing to do with mobiles. The rain was torrential. Thoughts go to family and friends of those involved.

[Fox92]

Looks very bad. Terrible news.

[MikeyT]

A video with a BBC reporter here. Looks horrific.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/8871553/M5-crash-several-dead-in-worst-ever-smash-in-Somerset.html

[Saxondale]

Judging by the number of lorries involved, I imagine one or me of them are at least partially to blame. They are often the cause of mayhem on the motorways.

It's getting to that time of year when all the crashes start happening. It's darker, the roads are greasy etc.

[StanSP]

Heavy rain and thick fog were to blame apparently. I don't think blame can be put partially on anyone, regardless of how bad other lorry drivers are/have been.

And there are more lorries out at night because the roads are usually clearer (in terms of traffic) and it's easier for them to get across the country.

[Phube]

Heavy rain and thick fog were to blame apparently. I don't think blame can be put partially on anyone, regardless of how bad other lorry drivers are/have been.

And there are more lorries out at night because the roads are usually clearer (in terms of traffic) and it's easier for them to get across the country.

There are ways to drive safely in such conditions!!

I always try to leave a good 5 seconds between me ans the next car. But invariably some **** is always 2inches behind my arse, or cuts into my 'safety zone...

[dave the caveman]

For 27 cars to be involved, even if they were populated densely across all three lanes, would suggest that visibility was very low. In fact some of those cars must have been what, 200 metres behind the initial accident at least. They must just have not been able to see anything.

[Rincewind]

One reason why I'm glad I don't drive. Not sure If I could handle those sort of conditions. Cars were probably going too fast for the conditions. Is the speed limit reduced in bad weather? Although even if it was halved some drives would still drive too close than the stopping distance allows. I don't understand why they do it. It's common sense that if you are right behind the vehcle in front it is going to take longer to stop. You may think your driving is good but can you be sure about the driver in front if they brake and skid across the lanes?

[stripeyfox]

Bbc reporting that over 10 people may have died. everyone should remember how fragile life is, especially before driving.

[purpleronnie]

So tragic, my heart goes out to those families involved.

[z-layrex]

So many people can't drive at all. I'm sure any of you who drive on motorways to get to work see it every morning, some people just can't drive.

[Teece]

awful

we were out driving on the motorways last night, and conditions were terrible, it was tipping it down

[Corky]

RIP to those that have passed away.

Sounds horrific

[Part Of The Crowd]

Was supposed to be there but delayed a visit to my parents to another weekend. Wow.

R.I.P To all those lost, it's just horrific.

[Trav Le Bleu]

Worst traffic accident I've ever seen.

I find myself wondering if the fire might have been as a result of the nearby fireworks display. There would have been lots of petrol spilled across the carriageway and maybe a burnt out, but still hot, rocket fell back to earth into the spillage? Terrible bad luck if that's what happened.

[dave the caveman]

Someone who drove through the crash site just before it happened has described suddenly entering a 200 yard long solid wall of white with 3m visibility. It's possible that it could have been the smoke from the nearby bonfire. Once one collision took place inside the smoke, other cars who were following crashed straight into the back due to being completely unable to see what was going on in front.