A driver was taken to hospital after a major incident that saw the M5 closed in both directions in Devon.
Avon and Somerset Police said it responded to reports that a van was being driven erratically southbound between junction 21 (Weston-super-Mare) and junction 22 (Burnham-on-Sea) at around 8.40pm on Friday (September 18). Multiple resources were deployed because of the concern for the safety of the driver and other road users. The vehicle was stopped at junction 28 (Cullompton) at around 9.10pm.
A police spokesperson said: "We responded to reports a van was being driven erratically. Multiple resources were deployed due to the concern for the safety of the driver and other road users, and the vehicle was stopped. The driver was taken to hospital to receive treatment for the injuries he had, and the M5 was closed while emergency services responded to the incident. The case has been mandatorily referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) which is routine when somebody suffers an injury during an incident the police are involved in."
Police initially shut both sides of the carriageway between J27 (Tiverton) and J28 (Cullompton), but National Highways lifted the northbound closure shortly after 11pm. The southbound side remained closed until 2:15am.
An IOPC spokesperson said: "We can confirm we have received a mandatory referral from Avon and Somerset Police following a collision on the M5, Southbound, on Friday (September 18). The referral was made due to prior police contact with the man and it is now being assessed to see if the IOPC needs to be involved any further."
Erratic Van Incident Shuts M5 and Hospitalises Driver