London: Emergency crews have worked through the night to free victims following the horrific motorway pile-up, which triggered a "massive fireball" on the carriageway and involved as many as 34 cars and lorries.
Avon and Somerset police yesterday said the casualties ranged from those with life-threatening injuries to the walking wounded.
Assistant Chief Constable Anthony Bangham said some people had been trapped in their burning cars. A number of the vehicles were incinerated. He did not confirm the number of dead.
"At around 8.25pm yesterday there was a multiple collision around junction 25 of the northbound carriageway of the M5," Bangham said.
"This involved a large number of cars and also articulated lorries and up to about 34 vehicles in total.
Challenging
"The accident resulted in a large number of casualties. Up to 51 people were injured, some of those seriously and tragically a number have lost their lives as a result.
"The emergency services have been working tirelessly. The incident was very, very challenging and on arrival crews were faced with literally one massive fireball. "Most vehicles were well alight and most continued to burn for a considerable time. This made it very difficult to search the vehicles. Some of them have been burned to the ground."
One car passenger told Sky News that "a black fog" suddenly descended over the motorway and "the Iceland truck in front of us disappeared".
She said all she and her husband could hear was the sound of "thump, thump, thump" as cars crashed into each other.
A spokesman for Musgrove Park hospital yesterday said it was treating 16 casualties who had suffered "a range of trauma injuries".
The hospital's chief executive, Jo Cubbon, said: "Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy.
"I would like to pay tribute to the staff at Musgrove and all our emergency services partners who have responded with the utmost professionalism in these difficult circumstances."
At least four vehicles caught fire, including two lorries. Firefighters using hydraulic cutting equipment had to rescue four people trapped in their vehicles. Television footage of the accident showed people attempting to pry open car doors to help those stuck inside.
The force of the crash sent debris on to the other side of the carriageway, where tailbacks stretched to junction 22.
Devon and Somerset fire and rescue service said 15 fire teams and 50 firefighters were called in from areas across the region, including Taunton, Glastonbury, Bridgwater and Yeovil. Helicopters were sent to the scene.
Paul Slaven from the rescue service said that "20 light vehicles and six articulated lorries" were involved. He described it as "the worst road traffic collision anyone can remember".
Bangham said: "Undoubtedly this is a tragic incident. All emergency services are at the scene and are working tirelessly to attend to those who are injured."
He said there would be a "comprehensive and thorough" investigation of the accident. The cause was not clear but there were reports of wet weather, poor visibility and thick fog in the Bridgwater area.
Simon Bruford, 38, from Williton in Somerset, described the scene as "total carnage" as he drove south on the motorway. "I could see the flames from quite a way back. I spent 18 years in the Somerset fire service and have seen a lot of nasty things, but that was horrific," he told the BBC.
— The Guardian News & Media Ltd
