Two people have been taken to hospital and the M5 remains partially closed following a serious car crash in Devon.
The motorway was closed in both directions between J28 for Cullompton and J29 for Exeter but one lane has since reopened on the southbound carriageway.
Delays lasting more than two and a half hours have been reported (7:30pm)
National Highways South West said: “Please be aware that there is now well over a two and a half hour delay on the #M5 southbound approaching the lane closures between J28 (#Cullompton) and J29 (#Exeter).“The queueing traffic now stretches for 8 miles, nearly back to J28.”
South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust said: “We were called at 2.29pm on Friday 12 July to a road traffic collision near Exeter.
“We sent four double-crewed land ambulances, a hazardous area response team, a critical care car, a doctor, an operations officer, an air ambulance and a responding officer to the scene.
“We conveyed one patient by land ambulance to Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and one patient by air ambulance to Derriford Hospital.”
In a statement Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: “ We attended the scene of a road traffic collision on the M5 at 2.30pm today, between junctions 28 and 29.
“We assisted with removing two people from a vehicle, which had been hit. These people are now in the care of the ambulance service.”
Long delays were reported on both the M5 and on roads through Exeter as traffic was diverted.
A car on the southbound carriageway lost a wheel and crossed the central reservation onto the northbound carriageway.
National Highways say because of the severity of the incident police are due to start accident investigation work.
Devon and Cornwall Police said: “We are aware that the M5 closure is causing significant traffic disruption.
“We will get people moving safely when we can but please bear with us while we deal with the incident and causalities at the scene.”
Cars and small vehicles heading northbound, towards Taunton and Bristol, which is caught within the closure, have been turned around from the rear of the queue. Lorries are still being held.
One lane is now open past the scene for all traffic heading southbound.