Motorcyclist suffers life-changing injuries in crash

There were several hours of delays on the M5 and the surrounding area following the crash on Thursday

A motorcyclist in his 20s has suffered life-changing injuries after a major crash on the M5.

The motorway was closed in both directions, between Weston-super-Mare and Burnham-on-Sea, for several hours on Thursday with part of the road closed until the early hours of Friday morning.

Avon and Somerset Police said they were called at 13:37 BST to reports of a serious crash involving a motorbike and a van on the southbound carriageway.

A spokesperson added vehicle recovery and police investigation work was completed by 17:50 BST, with National Highways then carrying out repairs to the southbound carriageway.

Police have urged any witnesses or anyone with information about the crash to get in touch.

A driver stuck in the traffic called BBC Radio Bristol to report a member of the public handing out squash, water and tea to those stuck on the road.

Kate, from Yatton, saw the cars "backing up" on the stretch of M5 near her house and wanted to help.

Speaking to Joe Sims on the BBC Bristol breakfast programme, she said: "They [the drivers] had been there for hours and I thought, once my kid was asleep, I've got to go out there and give them something.

"My husband was coming back from Derby and I thought, if he was stuck in traffic and hadn't had anything to drink and he was in trouble, then I'd want someone to help him," she added.

"I thought I could be that person for someone else basically."