# Woman killed in M5 crash named as carer Elaina Beard - updates

The M5 has reopned after a fatal crash today.

Police said three vehicles are involved and one person has died.

The road was closed between junction 25 and 26 - Taunton and Wellington.

Drivers heading northbound were being advised by Highways England to to exit at J26 and follow the diversion marked.

Motorists travelling southbound were being advised to exit at J25 and follow the diversions.

There were miles of queues on both sides of the closure.

Live coverage continues below thanks to our colleagues at Somerset Live

If you've seen something going on and want us to check it out, or have a traffic update for us, please get in touch - tweet us at @CornwallLive or see our Facebook page

## Key Events

  * Elaina Beard officially named as crash victim by family and police

  * Motorway reopens in both directions - but traffic remains heavy

  * Northbound carriageway to be reopened in next 15 minutes

  * 'Passionate' carer named as M5 crash victim will be much missed

  * Crash victim was a 'passionate' carer




### We'll be back tomorrow with more news - take care wherever you are tonight

It’s been a day of tragedy but as always when Somerset goes through hard times, people have come together afterwards to reassure and comfort.

**_From 7am tomorrow James Brinsford (james.brinsford@localworld.co.uk) will be taking over and I’ll be back at 2pm on Saturday (liam.trim@westgaz.co.uk)_**

### The latest on the roads

**1: M4 - BRISTOL - EASTBOUND**  
Heavy traffic and lane closed on exit slip road due to police incident on M4 Eastbound at J19 M32 (Bristol).   
Lane two (of two) is closed.  
  
**2: M5 - SOMERSET - NORTHBOUND**  
All lanes open, accident cleared on M5 Northbound between J24 A38 (Bridgwater South) and J23 A39 (Bridgwater North).  
  
**3: M5 - SOMERSET - SOUTHBOUND**  
accident cleared on M5 Southbound between J21 A370 / B3440 (Weston-Super-Mare) and J22 A38 / B3140 (Burnham-On-Sea).  
  
**4: A38 TAUNTON ROAD - HUNTWORTH - NORTHBOUND - SOMERSET**  
Traffic easing and traffic returned to normal on A38 Taunton Road Northbound between M5 J24 and A39 Broadway / Taunton Road. Delays as traffic avoids congestion on the M5 Northbound following an accident.  


### M5 reopens after two separate incidents this evening

The M5 Southbound between Junction 21 Weston-super-Mare and Junction 22 Burnham-on-Sea has reopened.

The M5 Northbound between Junction 24 Bridgwater South and Junction 23 Bridgwater North has also been reopened.

### Some saying delays of 45 minutes in Bridgwater area

One Twitter user is not happy with the delays tonight

### More praise for emergency services

Again, well said

### A30 closure incident has been dealt with

This was in Devon earlier:

### Well said Peter

### Latest on the roads

  
A370 in both directions re-opened, traffic easing, serious accident cleared between Puxton Lane (Hewish) and B3133 High Street ( Congresbury ).  
  
2: M5 - SOMERSET - NORTHBOUND  
One lane closed and very slow traffic due to accident on M5 Northbound between J24 A38 (Bridgwater South) and J23 A39 (Bridgwater North). Lane three (of three) is closed following a second accident in the area.  
  
3: M5 - SOMERSET - SOUTHBOUND  
Reports of accident on M5 Southbound between J21 A370 / B3440 ( Weston-super-mare ) and J22 A38 / B3140 ( Burnham-on-sea ). Traffic is coping well.  
  
4: A38 TAUNTON ROAD - HUNTWORTH - NORTHBOUND - SOMERSET  
Very slow traffic and traffic heavier than normal on A38 Taunton Road Northbound between M5 J24 and A39 Broadway / Taunton Road. Delays as traffic avoids congestion on the M5 Northbound following an accident.  
  
5: HIGH STREET - WESTON-SUPER-MARE - SOMERSET  
Traffic returned to normal and road cleared, accident cleared on High Street near Lawrence Road. 

### If Emily is right this surely does need clearing up?

Not ideal if cones have been there needlessly for a year!

### More tributes to those affected by today's fatal crash on Twitter

Well said

### New queues on M5

### Latest on new crash near Bridgwater

**M5 - SOMERSET - NORTHBOUND**

> One lane closed and very slow traffic due to accident on M5 Northbound between J24 A38 (Bridgwater South) and J23 A39 (Bridgwater North).
> 
> Lane three (of three) is closed following a second accident in the area.

### A30 now closed

A crash in Devon, according to Highways England:

### Traffic is 'crawling' again on the M5

According to this tweeter - it’s probably that crash near Bridgwater:

### How people in Taunton reacted to today's traffic

Some have pointed out that while delays are frustrating, the fact that someone has died must always come first, with support being offered to those who knew the crash victim the top priority 

### The stories which have made the headlines today

It’s been a tough, tragic day for Somerset 

### Full round up of issues on local roads right now

**M5 - SOMERSET - NORTHBOUND**

> One lane closed and very slow traffic due to accident on M5 Northbound between J24 A38 (Bridgwater South) and J23 A39 (Bridgwater North).
> 
> Lane three (of three) is closed following a second accident in the area.

**ILMINSTER - WESTBOUND - SOMERSET**

> Very slow traffic on A303 Westbound between A358 / B3168 Station Road (Southfields roundabout, Ilminster) and B3170 (Marsh).
> 
> This is due to traffic using this route to divert from the earlier closure of the M5.

**A368 TOWERHEAD ROAD - BANWELL - BOTH DIRECTIONS - SOMERSET**

Very slow traffic on A368 Towerhead Road in both directions between A371 West Street (Banwell) and Nye Road (Sandford).  
Delays as traffic diverts around the closure of the A370 between Hewish and Congresbury.

**A38 - ROOKS BRIDGE - SOMERSET**

> Slow traffic on A38 near Fletcher’s Lane. In the roadworks area.
> 
> Temporary traffic lights causing delays.

**A38 EAST REACH - TAUNTON - BOTH DIRECTIONS - SOMERSET**

> Traffic easing on A38 East Reach in both directions between A358 Obridge Viaduct / Priory Avenue and Tancred Street.

**A38 TONEWAY - TAUNTON - BOTH DIRECTIONS - SOMERSET**

> Traffic easing on A38 Toneway in both directions between A38 Bridgwater Road / Bridgwater Road and A38 Toneway / Priory Avenue.

**A38 WEST BUCKLAND ROAD - WELLINGTON - BOTH DIRECTIONS - SOMERSET**

> Very slow traffic on A38 West Buckland Road in both directions between B3187 Taunton Road / Summerfield Way (Chelston Roundabout, Wellington) and A3065 Silk Mills Road / Cornishway West (Taunton).
> 
> Delays on the A38 between Wellington and Taunton due to the earlier closure of the M5 in both directions.

> **A3065 SILK MILLS ROAD - TAUNTON - SOMERSET**
> 
> Very slow traffic and partially blocked due to accident on A3065 Silk Mills Road near Bishop’s Hull Hill.
> 
> Delays not helped by extra traffic travelling through Taunton following the earlier closure of the M5.

### Somerset County Council traffic service reporting new crash on M5

The delays continue during the half term rush:

### New M5 crash northbound

**M5 - SOMERSET - NORTHBOUND**

> One lane closed and very slow traffic due to accident on M5 Northbound between J24 A38 (Bridgwater South) and J23 A39 (Bridgwater North).
> 
> Lane three (of three) is closed following a second accident in the area.

### If this story on Twitter is true it's inspirational after a dark day

Sums up the dedication of the NHS:

### A370 update - as of 6.02pm

A**370 - HEWISH - BOTH DIRECTIONS - SOMERSET**

> A370 in both directions closed, very slow traffic due to serious accident between Puxton Lane (Hewish) and B3133 High Street (_Congresbury_), congestion to Rhodyate Lane (Cleeve).
> 
> Police are diverting traffic down local roads.

### A370 crash summary

 _From our sister publication the Bristol Post:_  


> The A370 is shut in both directions after a serious crash on Friday afternoon.
> 
> Emergency services are currently at the scene of the smash on the A370 between Puxton Lane, Hewish, and the B3133 High Street Congresbury.
> 
> Reports came in around 3.45pm on Friday, February 9, that the crash involved two cars. Two people are being treated by paramedics at the scene and the air ambulance has been called.
> 
> Queues are starting to form and people are being diverted down local roads.
> 
> In a separate incident the M5 Avonmouth Bridge is down to three lanes from four after a crash on the southbound carriageway between Junction 18A M49 and Junction 19 Portishead.

### One reader who just passed over a bridge near the M5 says...

...traffic is ‘now flowing’

Some good news at last for stranded motorists, confirming the reopening is starting to work and clear the traffic

### Traffic in Taunton has been slow throughout rush hour - video

The effects linger on from the M5 crash but of course it’s the half term rush, too

### Traffic maps still don't look good

### Traffic slow elsewhere

Delays elsewhere:

**M5 _AVONMOUTH_ BRIDGE - BRISTOL - SOUTHBOUND**

Slow traffic due to earlier accident on M5 _Avonmouth_ Bridge Southbound between J18A M49 and J19 A369 (Portishead), congestion on M5 to J17 A4018 / B4055 (Cribbs Causeway). All lanes have been re-opened.  
Lane one (of four) re-opened just after 17:30.

Created at 16:23 Updated at 17:30

**A370 - HEWISH - BOTH DIRECTIONS - SOMERSET**

A370 in both directions closed, very slow traffic due to serious accident between Puxton Lane (Hewish) and B3133 High Street (_Congresbury_), congestion to Rhodyate Lane (Cleeve).  
Police are diverting traffic down local roads.

Created at 15:46 Updated at 17:41 

### Police thank public for patience

It’s frustrating facing delays but the police and other emergency services have no doubt been working hard after a death today

### Please note if your journey involves the M4 tonight...

...there are other delays to face in the half term rush

### Confirmation road is reopen

We hope this is for good this time!  
We just heard from a driver travelling south who is still facing queues, though:

### Such moving words from her family - RIP

“Even as we write this it still doesn’t seem real that she was taken away from us so early.”