Two major motorways were closed in both directions on Saturday after human remains were found on the motorway near Bristol.
The body was discovered between junctions J20 (Almondsbury Interchange) and J21 (Awkley) north of Bristol on the M4.
Several drivers raised the alarm at about 6.40pm after seeing ‘something in the road,’ the police said.
When the officers arrived, they found human remains.
It led to closure of both the M4 and M48 while investigations were underway. Both have since reopened.
Avon and Somerset Police said: ‘Enquiries are underway to identify the deceased and notify next of kin, while an investigation to establish how the person came to be on the motorway continues.’
The affected stretches of road were near the Severn Bridge M48 and the Prince of Wales Bridge M4. The Severn Crossing remained open.
Traffic was being turned around in sections under the supervision of Traffic Officers and the police, National Highways said.
One motorist said on social media their family had been trapped in the road closure since 7pm without food, water or toilet facilities.
A woman said her elderly parents whose health would not allow them to stay there ‘for a significant time frame’ were stuck within the first few cars.
National Highways said turning vehicles around ‘is a complex and time consuming operation due to the volume of traffic and location.’
Motorists were told not to try to around ‘for your own safety’ until instructed to do so by the officers.
The M5 link road was also shut south to M4’s junction 20 west, National Highways said.
Motorists travelling between England and Wales across the two bridges were told to prepare for long delays as the routes were partially cut off.
M4 and M48 closures
Update: All closures have now been lifted.
Here is a full list of the closures on the M4 and M48 in South Gloucestershire.
M4
- Closed both ways between junctions J20-J22 between Almondsbury and Severn Bridges
M48
- Closed in both directions between junction J1 and M4
The following link roads from the M5 are also closed.
- Link from the M5 J15 south to M4 J20 west
- Link from the M5 J16 north to M4 J20 west
Got a story? Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk. Or you can submit your videos and pictures here.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
Follow Metro.co.uk on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news updates. You can now also get Metro.co.uk articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here.
Discover more from USNewsRank
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.