Police have closed a stretch of the M5 this afternoon (Tuesday, January 13) after a pedestrian died in Gloucestershire.
There are severe delays on the motorway with people reportedly getting out of their cars in standstill traffic between Thornbury and Stroud.
The M5 is expected to remain closed throughout the day.
National Highways said: "Due to an ongoing @Glos_Police led incident, the #M5 is now closed in both directions between J14 (#Dursley) and J13 (#Stroud). #TrafficOfficers are on scene to assist with strategic closures on the approach. The road is likely to remain closed throughout the day."
Traffic monitor Inrix reports: "All traffic being temporarily held and stationary traffic due to accident on M5 Northbound from Michaelwood Services to J13 A419 ( Stroud ). Prior to 12:05 all traffic was held. Michaelwood Services is located between J14 and J13."
Gloucestershire Police said: "The M5 northbound carriageway remains closed after a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle this morning (Tuesday 13 January).
"Police were called to junction 14 of the motorway at around 11.40am with a report of a collision involving two lorries and a pedestrian who was on the carriageway.
"The pedestrian sustained serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Their next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.
"The drivers of the two lorries have been assessed by paramedics and are not believed to have sustained any serious injuries.
"The northbound carriageway remains closed between junctions 13 for Stroud and 14 for Dursley/Falfield to allow a collision investigation to take place.
"This closure is expected to remain in place throughout the day with motorists asked to avoid the area and plan their route in advance.
"The southbound carriageway has since reopened between the affected junctions however traffic delays may remain for some time.
"Anyone who is stuck in traffic as a result of the closure and requires urgent assistance is advised to contact police or the Ambulance Service by calling 101 and asking for the relevant emergency service.
"Officers from the Roads Policing Unit are asking anyone who witnessed the incident and who has not already spoken to police to make contact.
"Additionally they would like to hear from anyone who has dashcam footage they feel may be relevant.
"Information can be provided to police online by completing the following form and quoting incident 189 of 13 January: www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/."
We will keep you updated with our live blog below. Send us information or pictures if it is safe to do so here .
18:59 - M5 clear
Inrix said:
Traffic easing, earlier accident on M5 Northbound from J14 B4509 (Thornbury / Falfield) to J13 A419 ( Stroud ). Prior to 12:05 all traffic was held to assist and later confirmed closed. All restrictions were confirmed lifted prior to 17:55.
18:00 - M5 reopens both ways
— National Highways: South-West (@HighwaysSWEST) January 13, 2026The #M5 is now OPEN in both directions between J13 (#Stroud) and J14 (#Dursley) due to an earlier police-led incident.
There are residual delays of at least 35 minutes on the northbound carriageway, however this should start to ease. pic.twitter.com/jkK7U4BtBJ
16:09 - Pedestrian dies after being struck by vehicle
The M5 northbound carriageway remains closed after a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle this morning (Tuesday 13 January).
Police were called to junction 14 of the motorway at around 11.40am with a report of a collision involving two lorries and a pedestrian who was on the carriageway.
The pedestrian sustained serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Their next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.
The drivers of the two lorries have been assessed by paramedics and are not believed to have sustained any serious injuries.
The northbound carriageway remains closed between junctions 13 for Stroud and 14 for Dursley/Falfield to allow a collision investigation to take place.
This closure is expected to remain in place throughout the day with motorists asked to avoid the area and plan their route in advance.
The southbound carriageway has since reopened between the affected junctions however traffic delays may remain for some time.
Anyone who is stuck in traffic as a result of the closure and requires urgent assistance is advised to contact police or the Ambulance Service by calling 101 and asking for the relevant emergency service.
National Highways are sharing updates on the closure which can be found here: https://nationalhighways.co.uk/travel-updates/travel-alerts/m5-gloucestershire-northbound-police-led-incident-carriageway-closure-between-j14-j13/
Officers from the Roads Policing Unit are asking anyone who witnessed the incident and who has not already spoken to police to make contact.
Additionally they would like to hear from anyone who has dashcam footage they feel may be relevant.
Information can be provided to police online by completing the following form and quoting incident 189 of 13 January: www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/
15:45 - Delays back to A38
National Highways says: "The M5 in Gloucestershire is closed northbound between J14 (Dursley) and J13 (Stroud) due to a Gloucestershire Police led incident that was reported at 11:45am.
"Our Traffic Officers and Gloucestershire Police are working to clear traffic caught within the closure by turning traffic around from the rear of the queue.
"The closure is likely to remain in place until later this evening due to on-going accident investigations.
"There are long delays on the A38 strategic diversion route due to local roadworks that are in place."
14:09 - M5 reopens southbound
— National Highways: South-West (@HighwaysSWEST) January 13, 2026
13:36 - Drivers warned to allow extra time for journeys
For further info regarding the ongoing @Glos_Police led incident closing the #M5 in both directions between J14 (#Dursley) and J13 (#Stroud), please see: https://t.co/rPoUron8rx. Please allow extra time for your journey due to delays on the approach and the #A38 diversion route. pic.twitter.com/znBDEnm707
— National Highways: South-West (@HighwaysSWEST) January 13, 2026
13:14 - M5 diversion routes in full as motorway remains closed
13:14 - Delays of an hour northbound
National Highways says there are delays of around an hour northbound on the motorway.
13:13 - Delays of around 40 minutes southbound
National Highways says there are delays of around 40 minutes southbound on the motorway.
12:52 - Plans made to release trapped traffic
M5 in both directions closed, long delays due to accident from J14 B4509 (Thornbury / Falfield) to J13 A419 ( Stroud ). Prior to 12:05 all traffic was held to assist with the accident that happened Northbound, later confirmed closed. The opposite side was also held and confirmed fully closed at 12:35. Plans are being made to release trapped traffic.
12:48 - Photos from the scene
#M5 is CLOSED in BOTH directions between J13 (Stroud) and J14 (Thornbury) due to a serious incident - Road not expected to fully re-open before 16:00 - Latest @ https://t.co/wZvwyO0CYE pic.twitter.com/VxSYkYkOto
— Motorway Cameras (@MotorwayCameras) January 13, 2026
12:47 - Drivers have been stopped by the crash
12:41 - Lengthy closures in place
12:38 - The empty M5 motorway
12:37 - Road to remain closed for a while
Due to an ongoing @Glos_Police led incident, the #M5 is now closed in both directions between J14 (#Dursley) and J13 (#Stroud). #TrafficOfficers are on scene to assist with strategic closures on the approach. The road is likely to remain closed throughout the day. pic.twitter.com/69aYA6Dkkd
— National Highways: South-West (@HighwaysSWEST) January 13, 2026
12:34 - Queues forming on the motorway
12:19 - Serious crash near service station
Gloucestershire Police said in a statement:
"Emergency services are currently at the scene of a serious collision on the M5 northbound, close to Michaelwood Services.
"Police were called with a report of a collision at around 11.40am today (Tuesday) between junctions 14 and 13.
"All lanes in both directions between these junctions are currently closed and motorists are advised to find alternative routes.
"Officers will provide further updates once more information becomes available."
12:19 - M5 closed 'throughout the day'
Due to an ongoing @Glos_Police led incident, the #M5 is currently closed northbound between J14 (#Dursley) and J13 (#Stroud). #TrafficOfficers are on scene to assist with strategic closures on the approach. The road is likely to remain closed throughout the day. pic.twitter.com/6vX2E3To85
— National Highways: South-West (@HighwaysSWEST) January 13, 2026
12:19 - M5 traffic held
All traffic being temporarily held and stationary traffic due to accident on M5 Northbound from Michaelwood Services to J13 A419 ( Stroud ). Prior to 12:05 all traffic was held. Michaelwood Services is located between J14 and J13.