Posted by Police have thanked motorists, who were left stranded on the M5 on Friday, for their patience as officers tried – but failed – to stop a man falling to his death from the Avonmouth bridge.
As reported by Bristol24-7 on the day, police closed the northbound lanes of the M5 between junctions 18a and 19 when a man in his 50s was seen on the bridge at about 1pm.
For more than six hours, police and ambulance crews attempted to talk the man down but at 7.30pm he fell more than 100ft into the water below and died. His body was later recovered by the coastguard.
The man, who has not been formally identified by believed to be from Bristol, was described by police as “vulnerable”.
The force’s Professional Standards Department has been informed, and the incident is being referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
Thousands of ‘M5 refugees’ were left stranded throughout the day on the motorway as police and ambulance crews tried to help the man. And Assistant Chief Constable John Long has thanked them for their patience during a tragic day.
“While many motorists were understandably frustrated and angry about the disruption and delays to their journey, the safety of everyone concerned was the paramount priority.
“We are grateful to those motorists, their families, friends and everyone else who has been affected by this tragic incident, for their patience and co-operation.”
Motorists faced a second day of disruption on the M5 on Saturday after a seven-vehicle pile up on the southbound lanes between junctions 19 at Portishead and 20 at Clevedon.
The motorway was reduced to one lane, with 30-minute delays after the crash just after 1pm. There were reports of one serious injury.
All lanes had reopened by 3pm but traffic was slow-moving throughout the afternoon in the area.
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