A MOTORIST was trapped in their car but more than 30 bus passengers escaped injury when the two vehicles crashed as they travelled on the M5 near Wellington on Thursday night (November 27).

The accident happened on a stretch near junction 26 subject to roadworks as National Highways carries out four months of drainage improvement work.

Traffic on the motorway was brought to a standstill for several hours and motorists were said to have left their vehicles and moved roadworks cones to help emergency services pass through.

Both Wellington fire engines and one from Taunton were sent to the scene of the two-vehicle crash on the southbound carriageway at about 8 pm.

A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue said about 35 passengers were on the bus and they were all checked and found to be uninjured.

The firefighters freed the person trapped in the wrecked car, and the incident was then taken over by police, ambulance, and National Highways crews.