A MOTORCYCLIST has been airlifted to hospital after a crash on the M5 near Bridgwater.

The collision took place this morning (Friday, August 11) between J23 and J24 and involved a car and a motorcycle.

Emergency services were in attendance and the motorcyclist was taken to Southmead Hospital by air ambulance.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: "The M5 has been closed northbound between junctions 23 and 24 following a collision between a car and a motorcycle at about 10.30am this morning (Friday 11 August).

"Police and paramedics have attended the scene. The motorcyclist is being conveyed to hospital by air ambulance.”

A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We were called at 10.29am to a road traffic collision on the M5 near Bridgwater.

“We sent an air ambulance, a doctor, an operations officer, and two double-crewed land ambulances.

“We conveyed one patient by air to Southmead Hospital.” 

A National Highways spokesperson said: “The M5 northbound is now closed between J25 Taunton and J23 Bridgwater due to a serious collision.

“Collision investigation is ongoing and closure is likely to be in place for several hours. There are 60 min delays above normal travel time. Avoid the area if possible.”

National Highways said that currently "there are delays of 60 mins above normal travel time on the northbound carriageway with seven miles of congestion".