M5 motorway pile-up in Gloucestershire leaves at least four dead

Road likely to be closed for a 'considerable amount of time', police say

Thirteen ambulances are at the scene of the accident (Ash Jones/@AJ1706)

At least four people have been killed in an accident involving multiple vehicles on the M5 motorway, police have said.

The collision, which included a lorry, took place near Almondsbury in south Gloucestershire, between Junctions 14 and 15 of the motorway.

The road remains closed in both directions and will be for “a considerable amount of time”, Avon and Somerset Police said. Traffic queues stretched up to six miles.

Images posted on social media showed the lorry hanging off the side of the motorway. Initial reports suggested it had crashed through the central reservation and into oncoming traffic on the northbound carriageway.

A police spokesperson said: “We were called at just after 2.30pm to the collision between J15 and J14 northbound involving several vehicles, including a lorry.

“Sadly, at least four people have died.

“The motorway is closed in both directions between J16 and 14 and emergency services are working at the scene.

“The closure is likely to be in place for a considerable amount of time and we’d ask people to avoid the area.”

A spokesperson for South West Ambulance Service Trust said: “We were called around at around 2.30pm to a road traffic crash on the M5.

“There are currently 13 ambulances at the scene including a critical care team.”