ONE person has been taken to hospital after a 4x4 that was towing a caravan overturned on the M5 between Taunton and Bridgwater this morning (June 1).

Another person and three dogs were helped out of the vehicle, which overturned at around 6.40am.

Police, ambulance staff, fire crews and National Highways traffic officers were called to the scene.

The southbound carriageway was closed after the incident before one lane re-opened while the vehicles were recovered.

Travel Somerset confirmed that the road had fully re-opened at 10.34am.

At around 8am, a spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: "The southbound M5 is closed between junction 24 (Bridgwater) and 25 (Taunton) after a 4x4 towing a caravan overturned at about 6.40am today.

"Police and ambulance attended. One person went to hospital."

A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) said: “We were called at 6.41am to an incident in the West Newton area.

“We sent one double-crew land ambulance, and one individual was taken by ambulance to Musgrove Park Hospital.” 

A Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service spokesperson said: “Fire crews from Bridgwater and Taunton attended a road traffic collision on the M5 involving a 4x4 vehicle towing a caravan which had rolled onto its side.

“One male was still within the vehicle and required fire service assistance to exit using a triple extension ladder.

“One other casualty also received treatment at the roadside from ambulance service personnel and were taken to hospital for precautionary checks.

“Fire crews also set about making efforts to release three dogs from within the overturned vehicle and these were transferred to another vehicle for safety.

“The scene was left in the hands of the Highways agency and police.”