M5 motorway closes in each instructions as physique of man in his 30s is present in carriageway after falling from bridge

The M5 motorway was closed in both directions after the body of a man in his 30s was found on the carriageway.

Police have launched a major response after discovering the man dead, who was believed to have fallen onto the motorway in Gloucestershire from an over bridge.

Officers found his body in the northbound carriageway after being alerted of the incident just after 6.05pm. 

The man’s next of kin have been informed are being supported by specialist officers, Gloucestershire Constabulary said.

Police are appealing for witnesses who were travelling along the M5 at around 6am this morning, or anyone with dashcam footage, to come forward.

A major investigation has been launched after a man’s body was found on the northbound carriageway of the M5 in Gloucestershire (file photo)

The motorway was closed in both directions following the incident, National Highways said. The southbound carriageway reopened at around 3.15pm

Those with information should complete the online form here, quoting incident number 69 of 2 November.

The motorway was closed in both directions between Junction 9 (Tewkesbury) and Junction 8 (Strensham) following the incident. The southbound carriageway reopened to traffic at around 3.15pm.

Long delays in excess of 60 minutes stretching four miles from the scene remain on the northern carriageway.

In a statement, National Highways said: ‘The M5 in Gloucestershire was closed in both directions shortly after 06:00 this morning for a Gloucestershire Constabulary led incident.

‘Due to nature of the incident National Highways are unable to share details surrounding this incident but Gloucestershire Police remain at scene.

‘The southbound carriageway re-opened at 15:15 with the northbound carriageway remaining closed for ongoing police investigations.’