Published: June 29, 2007
Burnham-On-Sea grinds to a halt after series of five accidents

This was the scene on the M5 motorway at Burnham-On-Sea on Friday evening (June 29th) after a series of five accidents caused major delays for motorists in the area.

Fifteen people were taken to hospital after one of the busiest evenings ever for local emergency services.

Somerset's Air Ambulance landed on the northbound carriageway of the M5 near junction 22 at around 6pm - as exclusively pictured here - to fly casualties of a serious accident to hospital.

The accident closed the motorway near to Sedgemoor Services, and five people were taken to hospital.

Earlier, at 4.30pm, a second accident saw a Landrover Discovery (pictured below) and a caravan flip over near to junction 23.

Two fire engines and a rescue tender from Burnham and Glastonbury were called to help right the vehicle and clear the southbound carriageway.

That accident caused long queues of rush-hour traffic, although police at the scene told Burnham-On-Sea.com there had been no serious injuries.

A separate, third multi-car collision occurred at around 5pm on the roundabout at junction 23 of the M5, further worsening the situation for motorists along the A38.

To compound the problems, at 6.30pm, a fourth accident closed the A38 directly outside the Oaktree Arena where thousands of speedway fans were arriving for the Somerset Rebels' big race meeting.

Police turned away large numbers of fans from the area, causing further holds-ups.

And later in the evening, a fifth accident occurred further along the A38 near the junction with Burnham Moor Lane.

An ambulance spokesman told Burnham-On-Sea.com late on Friday evening that the day "had been one of their busiest for a long time" with fifteen people being conveyed to hospital. He added that, fortunately, there had been no fatalities.

Were you stuck in the delays?
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