We can bring you a bit more now from the statement from Supt Joe Mathews with Devon and Cornwall Police.

He has said that the "welfare of members of the public and staff involved and impacted by these two difficult events was at the forefront for those leading the response."

Ultimately, the M5 was partially closed for about 15 hours, he says. "We recognise the impact of this, through the morning rush-hour, was keenly felt; to those seeking to get to work, to appointments, the effect on business and people visiting our counties.   

"We are keen to reassure that, alongside keeping people safe, our clear priority on behalf of the victims of these collisions and their families has been to undertake thorough and detailed investigations."

We are now ending our live coverage. Thanks for joining us.

We've just received a statement from Joe Mathews, superintendent for roads policing with Devon and Cornwall police. In it, he reflects on the "two challenging scenes" police handled on the M5.

Mathews says the force's "thoughts are with all those injured in these collisions and with the family and friends of the man who died," adding "these incidents resulted in two challenging scenes and members of the public held within tailbacks and traffic for several hours."

Mathews says that "the patience and understanding of people impacted by this event is genuinely appreciated. 

"Police continue the investigation today, with specialist officers supporting the families of those directly involved."

Devon and Cornwall Police says it has been a "challenging time" for those involved in the two collisions last night and has thanked motorists for their patience.

"Our thoughts are with the families of those injured and the man who has sadly died," it says.

The force adds the M5 is now open both ways.

The M5 has reopened in both directions follow a fatal four-vehicle collision last night near Willand.

Police also responded to a separate three-vehicle crash shortly before 21:50 which left one man seriously injured.

Here's what else to know:

• Devon and Cornwall police say a man in his 30s, from Plymouth, died at the scene of one of the two crashes on the M5 - four people were taken to hospital but are not believed to have life-threatening injuries

• The force says a man in his 40s, from the Cullompton area, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and remains in police custody
• Police are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the crashes to come forward

• National Highways have said the motorway has reopened in both directions - but drivers have been told to allow extra time for journeys because of residual traffic

The M5 has reopened, but motorists are still being warned that residual traffic could delay them further.

Devon County Council says the earlier incidents are impacting alternative routes, including the A396, B3181, A373 and the A30.

BBC readers have also shared their experiences with us, describing lengthy delays around the alternative routes.

National Highways have confirmed that the M5's southbound carriageway has reopened.

There are still delays of up to 45 minutes in the area, National Highways warns.

In the last few moments we received a statement from Devon and Cornwall Police about the second crash that took place on the M5 overnight.

Here is the statement in full:

"A man has died following a road traffic collision on the M5 near Willand last night, Thursday 18 September.

We were called at around 11.10pm following the report of the collision involving four vehicles on the M5 southbound near to junction 28.

As a result of the collision a driver of one of the vehicles, a man in his 30s and from Plymouth, was pronounced deceased at the scene. His next of kin has been informed.

A man in his 40s from the Cullompton area has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He remains in police custody at this time.

Four other people were taken to hospital for treatment, none of whom are believed to have suffered life-threatening injuries.

The fatal collision followed an initial three-vehicle collision on the M5 near Willand first reported at around 9.50pm as a result of which one man was seriously injured.

The northbound carriageway has now reopened, however southbound remains closed for the time being and the closure has been passed to Highways.

Anybody who witnessed the incident or has relevant dash-cam footage is asked to contact us on 101 or via our website quoting log 859 of 18 September."

Devon and Cornwall Police have confirmed that a man in his 40s from the Collumpton area has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

The man remains in police custody.

The arrest was made after a second crash on the M5 around 23:00 yesterday evening.

One man has died and four people were taken to hospital after a crash on the M5 on Thursday night, police say.

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National Highways have confirmed that the northbound carriageway of the M5 has now reopened.

The southbound lanes still remain closed - National Highways says that there are delays of up to 45 minutes in the area.

Matt Tancock
BBC Radio Devon

All diversion routes are at a complete standstill.

We’ve been keeping an eye on the same lorry and it’s been stuck on the same stretch for about 30 minutes now - bear in mind we are in a small village.

The motorists taking diversion routes include articulated lorries, which are accessing the surrounding areas through very narrow lanes.

We’ve already heard of a historic bridge being hit this morning, so it is difficult here.

Avoid all surrounding areas if you can.

Police have shut the M5 in both directions following two separate crashes last night that injured multiple people.

Traffic is expected to be heavy in the area while investigations are carried out - here's what we know:

• One man has been seriously injured in one of the two crashes on the motorway, police say - they are appealing for witnesses to come forward
• Devon and Cornwall police have confirmed that a number of people have been seriously injured in the separate incidents

• The stretch of the M5 between J27 at Sampford and J28 at Cullompton is likely to remain closed for most of the morning

• Bristol and Exeter Airports have urged travellers to seek alternative routes due to the closure
• Signs are warning of the closure from 90 miles away - but whether motorists endure shorter journeys depends on if they see and act on the alerts, writes BBC South West's Andrew Segal

We're still monitoring for any updates - stay with us.

Andrew Segal
BBC South West

About 90 miles (145km) and two counties away, electronic signs on the M5 southbound around Gloucester are warning of the closure between J28 and J29.

It means highways bosses are trying to prepare motorists well in advance before they reach the affected area.

Online maps and travel services are also showing congestion in Honiton and other areas, possibly with drivers (including myself) hoping to go through them to avoid affected patch of motorway.

Whether the word is spreading quickly enough to help drivers endure shorter travel delays will partly depend on if they are able to see and act on these warnings.

We've just received word from Devon and Cornwall Police that one man was seriously injured in one of last night's crashes on the M5.

We can now bring you the entirety of their statement:

"Officers are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage following a three-vehicle collision on the M5 near Willand in which a man was seriously injured.

Emergency services were called to the southbound carriageway of the motorway, near to Junction 28, at around 9.50pm on Thursday 18 September.

The collision involved a Vauxhall Zafira, a Ford Ka and a Porsche Boxter.

The male driver of the Ford Ka was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Anyone with any relevant information or dashcam footage is asked to contact police via our website or by calling 101, quoting log number 806 of 18 September.

A second, separate collision was reported near to Junction 28 at around 11.10pm and we will release further information on this in due course.

Closures remain in place on the M5 while investigations continue into both collisions. Motorists are advised to avoid the area."

A man has been seriously injured in one of the two collisions that took place overnight on the M5 near Willand last night, police say.

Emergency services were called to the southbound carriageway of the motorway, near junction 28, at about 21:50 BST on Thursday evening.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to the collision to come forward.

Megabus says that its South West Falcon service, which serves Bristol Airport, will be "significantly delayed" because of the M5 closure.

Buses may run on diverted routes, Megabus adds.

Exeter Airport has told travellers to allow extra time to get to the airport today because of the motorway closure.

The airport says that those flying today should monitor traffic reports, consider alternative routes and allow extra time to arrive.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service says it sent three pumping appliances and two special appliances to the collision sites last night.

A spokesperson for the department says that crews were called at 23:30 BST and assisted police and the ambulance service.

Its teams are no longer in attendance.

National Highways have confirmed that the motorway's northbound lanes are expected to see regular traffic conditions between 14:15 and 14:30 BST.

Normal traffic conditions are expected between 16:00 and 16:15 BST for the M5's southbound lanes.