M5 crash: Two dead and two seriously injured after motorway pile-up in Gloucestershire

The collision involved at least four vehicles between junction 8 and 9

Officers are advising motorists to avoid the area while investigations are carried out (TriForce Police)

Two men have been killed and two others seriously injured in a crash on the M5 motorway.

The collision, involving five vehicles, happened between junction 8 southband for the M50 and junction 9 for Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, just after 1am on Thursday.

Two men were pronounced dead at the scene and a third taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham in critical condition.

West Midlands Ambulance Service earlier said the man had died in hospital but later corrected their statement.

Police investigators believe the incident involved five vehicles and started when a Ford Mondeo and an MG Rover collided in the early hours.

An HGV then stopped and was involved in a further collision with a black Mazda and a silver Mercedes.

The dead and seriously injured were all travelling in the Mercedes.

A fourth man was treated for back and leg injuries before being taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, while four patients from other cars were treated by paramedics.

The motorway remains closed and Gloucestershire Police are advising drivers to avoid the area while investigations are carried out.

A spokeswoman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "Emergency services found a car which had been involved in a serious collision with four men inside.

"Sadly, nothing could be done to save two men and they were confirmed dead on scene.

"A third man was in a critical condition and received advanced trauma care by ambulance staff and the trauma doctor at the roadside before being taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. The man remains in a critical condition."

A spokeswoman for Gloucestershire Police said at least four vehicles were involved in the crash.

"Officers are advising motorists to avoid the area whilst investigations are carried out," the force spokeswoman said.

Additional reporting by PA