Motorway drama ends as man dies in M5 bridge plunge
A man plunged to his death from the Avonmouth Bridge after a six-and- a-half-hour stand-off with police.
The man scaled a 6ft safety fence at the midway point of the bridge next to the M5 northbound shortly after 1pm on Friday.
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M5 bridge rescue attempt
Motorists watched in horror as he balanced precariously on the base of one of the bridge’s streetlights, jutting out above the River Avon.
Police shut the entire northbound carriageway as they tried to talk the man into coming down.
But shortly after 7.30pm he fell 100ft into the water after apparently jumping from the spot where he had perched for more than six hours.
The incident happened in front of emergency services personnel who had been trying to save the man. His body was recovered by the coastguard.
The man, whom police described as “vulnerable”, has not yet been identified but is believed to have been in his late 50s and from Bristol.
The road closure, on a day when the start of the bank holiday weekend had brought thousands of extra cars onto the motorway, caused huge tailbacks and left motorists stranded on the M5 for up to six hours.
Queues from Gordano stretched 34 miles back to Bridgwater.
At 2pm police shut the northbound carriageway between junctions 19 and 18, from Gordano to Avonmouth.
But it was later extended to junction 21 at Weston-super-Mare, with stranded drivers turned around and diverted onto neighbouring A-roads including the A370 Weston to Bristol road and the A369 linking the city with Portishead, which was temporarily closed due to weight of traffic.
Southbound, the exit slip road at junction 19 was closed, adding to the hold-ups.
The Highways Agency said traffic heading south on the M5 moved at a crawl as people slowed down to watch police deal with the incident and heavy traffic was reported as far back as Falfield, near Thornbury.
Police said they closed the northbound carriageway because of concerns over the man’s welfare and the safety of emergency services at the scene, as well as that of motorists.
Avon and Somerset assistant chief constable John Long said decisions to enforce significant road closures were not taken lightly, and only occurred in cases of considerable risk to life or safety.
He said: “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.”
On the M5 stranded motorists, including children and elderly, were stuck without food or water, and many left their vehicles to stretch their legs on the hard shoulder.
Later in the evening police handed out Officers also patrolled the motorway to make sure people were safe, and urged them to keep the hard shoulder free for emergency services.
Lorries were diverted off the motorway on to the A370 Long Ashton bypass, and other vehicles were diverted towards the A369.
The A369 was also temporarily closed by police because of the weight of traffic. Soon after it reopened at 5.45pm the seven-mile stretch between the M5 Gordano junction and the Cumberland Basin was solid with traffic heading towards Bristol and there were queues on the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
The knock-on effect of motorists looking for alternative routes caused havoc on the roads and long delays across the entire Bristol area including the M4 and M32. as well as the A38 had queues from Burnham-on-Sea to Dundry and the southern reaches of Bristol, traffic on the M4 was slow, and there were queues in both directions on the M32.
In Bristol traffic on Temple Way was at a standstill as people tried to find alternative routes. Junction 19 of the M5 was reopened just after 7pm, and three of the four northbound lanes were re-opened just after 8pm.
People stuck in the delays spoke of their experiences on the Evening Post’s website.
One reader, from Shirehampton, said: “Me, my wife, sister and four toddlers were sat 350 yards from junction 20 not moving for four hours.”
“Nothing appeared to be getting off at the Clevedon slip road so decided to bite the bullet and weave on to the hard shoulder and then the slip road.
“It only took another 35 minutes to get home to Avonmouth.”
A woman from Coventry posting a comment at 5pm said: “My husband and six-year-old son have been stuck 15 miles below Bristol for hours.
“He said everyone was OK and people were helping each other out with food.”
The man’s death has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission., and the Professional Standards Department has been informed.
Great Western Ambulance Service (GWAS) dealt with seven road collisions in Bristol and North Somerset in nine hours yesterday. Officers said the bad weather caused problems on the road and driving conditions.
Jonathan Lofthouse, GWAS deputy chief ambulance officer, said: “I urge motorists to take extra care on the roads during this weather.
“Please stay alert and aware of the changing conditions and leave extra space between vehicles allowing extra stopping distance.
“Also, please allow extra space if an ambulance crew is working at the side of the road and ensure you pass the incident at a safe distance and speed.”
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by zoe, cornwall
Wednesday, September 02 2009, 9:37PM
“I was caught in this drama driving a horse lorry containing 3 horses and children. It was very distressful for all of us as not only were thechildren getting agitated and restless I had the added worry of the welfare of the animals. My biggest worry was that they were going to get upset and start fretting in the lorry. I am sorry if I am sounding uncaringbut why on earth did he choose that particular location on the busiest weekend of the year? We eventually arrived in Wales after 12 hours of being on the road, the poor horses were exhausted and distressed, the children were also very tired and upset too. All in all what was supposed to be a lovely weekend away for my teenage daughter competing on her horse turned out to be a complete nightmare.”
by Kate, BRISTOL
Wednesday, September 02 2009, 9:17PM
“I read the front page article today and wish to express my utter disgust at some of the disgraceful, self-centred, uncompassionate and quite frankly inhuman remarks posted by some of your readers in that article.
Heaven forbid that some motorists had an uncomfortable 6 hour wait in their vehicles as events unfolded. How annoying for them that the start of their holiday was delayed or they arrived home late. Perhaps they should spare a moment of their precious time to think about the lifetime of discomfort, grief, anger, pain and all the wondering which the family of this poor man will endure for the rest of their lives.
At least the family will have the small comfort of knowing that the emergency services did absolutely everything within their power to prevent this death. Amidst all the questions of 'why?' and 'if only?' at least they will not be left wondering whether more could have been done to treat him with dignity and respect when he needed it most.
ACC John Long should not need to dignify such criticisms with a response.
My husband died by suicide last year. He was alone when he jumped to his death. I will be eternally grateful to the two police constables (Adam and Stacey) who had the unenviable task of knocking on my front door that day. They treated me with the respect and humanity that the difficult situation merited and I thank them for that. I am glad to see that this attitude and approach by the police continues to this day and I would hope that this man's family receive the same level of care.
A man has died! What more is there to say. Have some respect and some humanity, one day it may be you and yours in this situation. (Each year someone dies by suicide every 85 minutes in the UK)”
by alan, bristol
Wednesday, September 02 2009, 6:58PM
“100% wrong that the police can shut a motor way and for seven hours at that all they have done is breach human rights (the body requires certain things if you like it or not) and turn people agaist this poor man SO BIG RETHINK MR PLOD”
by Ross, London
Wednesday, September 02 2009, 3:21PM
“And what about the lady who had a miscarriage and lost her baby because she couldn't get to hospital?
Think about that one.
The whole situation was totally avoidable”
by Kathy, Weston Super Mare
Wednesday, September 02 2009, 3:01PM
“Well clearly there is such strength of feeling about this judging by your comments- however what a pity so many of you see fit to abuse others for their opinions and even their spelling (poor Lisa in Portishead- I understood your post!) Grow up the lot of you. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and for what it's worth here's mine. First- only the Bristish (and I am British) have this obsession with getting in their cars on one of the busiest day of the year and jouning one of the busiest roads. My New Zealander husband can't understand it. Secondly it is always very sad when someone dies, I don't think anyone would dispute that. However I agree with those of you who consider this man to be selfish, although I accept his mental health should be considered. He could have chosen to end his life in any number of ways but he made a choice to opt for the most disruptive way, at the most disruptive time to do it. Third- my sympathies go to the police and the emergency services who had to deal with this man and the aftermath of his actions. It may be their job, but what an awful thing to have to deal with. I hope they are getting counselling if they need it. Fourthly- Have some sympathy for the people who might have missed their OWN wedding (not just been a guest), gone into labour or became very ill and in need of medical attention themselves. Think of the young children and elderley who probably needed the loo. The pregnant women who probably needed the loo. Finally there is really no point in speculating about whether the police did it right or not. They are the experts, not the rest of us. The motorway was closed- it happens so often we should be used to it by now. I marvel at the attitude of the british public sometimes, and these postings just top the lot.”
by Rupert, High Wycombe
Tuesday, September 01 2009, 7:20PM
“look if he wanted to take his life, why did he not do it at home with a noose or a razor blade? He chose the bridge so he would have his five minutes of fame. Luckily for me I was going southbound at the time.”
by Alex, Derbyshire
Tuesday, September 01 2009, 4:25PM
“I think people were rightly 'frustrated' with how the incident was handled by the police. What we forget is the police are here to work for the public not against them.
This man, may he rest in peace... to be honest is a complete idiot, and i dont care who thinks i am wrong or right... he is AN IDIOT, whatever his/her personnel circumstances were other people suffered because he had issues, other people nearly died becuase he had issues .... think to your self, if he would have survived but someone else died due to his actions ... ALL of you would be saying what a menice this idiot is and baying for his blood... crying manslaughter... Get a grip of the siutuation and think more logically.. think about the suffering of 100,000 people ... and the countless people who had to recieve medical treatment due to this IDIOT.!”
by sarah-jane, Bristol
Tuesday, September 01 2009, 2:11PM
“Theses comments are sick i take it none of u has losted a loved one, your all moaning about sitting in traffic for few hours of ur life when this poor mans life is now gone! You should all be ashamed of urselfs.. R.i.p to this man..xx”
by guardian1128, Plymouth
Tuesday, September 01 2009, 1:11PM
“We was also stuck in this jam for about 4 hours after picking up a friend in Weston Super Mare and then heading on up to Yorkshire for the weekend, took ages to get near the roundabout where the slip road goes down onto the M5 there which was blocked by a highways landrover and a few cones, and looking down the motorway from the bridge the road was totally empty for as far as you could see.
didn't know what had happened till the return journey on the sunday, but in all it took what should have been a 6 1/2 hour journey into 12 hours instead.
The guy might have had his emotional problems or something but he could of at least ended his life in some other way apart from disrupting as much normality for others as possible.
oh well, he's gone now and hopefully he's at peace.”
by KB, Bristol, England
Tuesday, September 01 2009, 1:07PM
“Unbelievable ! selfish motorists complaining about their journeys being interrupted again !! Didn't you have your radios on? If so why didn't you use an alternative route when you heard that the motorway was shut? So you went hungry/thirsty? why didn't you pack refreshments for your journey? Especially on a bank holiday Friday! Idiots ! Somebody lost their life here. Get your priorities in order”