Seven people have been killed and 51 injured in a 34-vehicle pile-up on the M5 in Somerset, and police fear the death toll may rise.
Officers said tuesday night’s crash, which happened close to junction 25 northbound at about 20:30 GMT, led to a “massive fireball” at the scene.
The cause of the crash is not clear but the road was wet and foggy in patches.
People concerned about relatives who may have been involved in the crash should call 0800 092 0410.
Earlier reports said more than 10 were feared dead and officers said some bodies may not yet have been recovered from the charred vehicles.
‘Horrific scene’
Of the injured, 25 were taken to Yeovil District Hospital; 17 of the more seriously injured are being treated at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton; and nine were treated at the scene.
Twenty-three of those taken to Yeovil have now been discharged.
The motorway is closed between junction 24 for Bridgwater and junction 25 for Taunton and will remain shut until at least Sunday morning.
After the crash, motorists suffered five-and-a-half hour delays on the M5, as traffic backed up for miles.
Assistant Chief Constable Anthony Bangham, of Avon and Somerset Police, appealed for witnesses to contact the police to aid what he said would be a “very thorough investigation” into the crash.
He said the crash scene was “horrific” and there would now be a multi-agency “forensic examination” of the area, where many vehicles were burned to the ground.
“The incident was very, very challenging and on arrival crews were faced with literally one massive fireball,” he added.
