A man's body has been found on the M5(Image: PAUL NICHOLLS TRINITY MIRROR)

Body found on M5 as motorway is closed

by · DevonLive

A man's body has been found on the M5 today, leading to a major police operation and investigation. The motorway has been closed in both directions after police received reports of a body found on the northbound carriageway near Tewkesbury, in Gloucestershire.

Gloucestershire Police were called to the scene shortly after 6am today, Saturday, November 2, and the road was closed while an investigation was launched. At the time of writing, the road has been closed between junctions 8 and 9 for more than eight hours.

It is believed a man in his 30s fell from an overbridge onto the motorway below, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. His death is not thought to be suspicious and his next of kin have been made aware.

National Highways has warned motorists of the closure and said there are long delays. It said: "The M5 in Gloucestershire is closed in both directions between J9 (Tewkesbury) and J8 (Strensham), due to a Gloucestershire Police led incident."

Gloucestershire Police are now appealing for anyone who was travelling on the M5 around 6am to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact police here quoting incident 69 of November 2.

A statement from Gloucestershire Police said: "Police are appealing for information after the body of a man was discovered on the M5 this morning (Saturday 2 November).

"Officers were called shortly after 6.05am with a report that a body had been found on the northbound carriageway near to junction 9 for Tewkesbury. It is believed that a man in his 30s fell from an over bridge onto the carriageway below. He was pronounced dead at the scene and his death is deemed to be non-suspicious.

"The man's next of kin are aware and being supported by specially trained officers. Officers are asking anyone who was travelling along the M5 at around 6am and has any information or footage they feel is relevant to make contact. Information can be submitted online by completing the online form here and quoting incident 69 of 2 November."