Published: May 9, 2008
Van fire and crash cause long delays on M5 at Burnham-On-Sea

Two separate incidents - a van fire and an accident - left traffic at a standstill on the M5 motorway at Burnham-On-Sea on Friday (May 9th).

Long queues of vehicles developed after the incidents near to junction 22.

Fire services were called to the northbound carriageway at 9.38am after plumes of smoke drifted across the motorway - as pictured above - prompting police to introduce speed restrictions.

"Two fire engines were called after a Ford Transit van was reported alight," fire spokesman Paul Slavin told Burnham-On-Sea.com. "A large amount of smoke from the engine drifted over the carriageway."

Later on Friday at 3.45pm, two cars collided on the southbound carriageway, leaving long queues of traffic of around four miles which did not start to clear until after 6pm. Recovery of one of the vehicles is pictured here.

Police spokesman Wayne Baker told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "Two cars collided, leaving extensive damage to the barrier and causing the carriageway to be temporarily blocked. One vehicle left the motorway and ended up down an embankment."

He added: "One person suffered minor injuries and was treated by ambulance crews."