Section of M4 ‘fully closed’ after dead body found on carriageway
Several drivers called the police to report something on the road between junction 20 and junction 21, which were found to be human remains.
The M4 near Bristol was “fully closed” on Saturday night after a dead body was found on the carriageway, police have said.
Avon and Somerset Police said a section of the motorway in south Gloucestershire is likely to remain closed in both directions until the early hours of Sunday after a body was found between junction 20 around Almondsbury Interchange, and junction 21 near Awkley.
Several drivers called the police from 6.40pm on Saturday to report something on the road, according to the force.
“Officers attended and found human remains,” Avon and Somerset Police said, adding they believe the body to be that of a man in his 40s.
“Inquiries are under way to identify the deceased and notify next of kin, while an investigation to establish how the person came to be on the motorway continues.”
National Highways said the M4 remained closed westbound between junction 20 and junction 22 at the Prince of Wales Bridge, but it had reopened eastbound between junctions 20 and junction 21.
The M48 eastbound between the bridge and junction 21 of the M4 was also reopened.
National Highways said police started to release traffic on the M4 and M48 eastbound around midnight.
“This is a complex operation and will take time due to the location and volume of traffic,” they said in an alert.
“For your own safety, that of the emergency services and other road users please do not attempt to turn around until instructed to do so by either police or National Highways traffic officers.”
Avon and Somerset Police have also urged anyone who was travelling along that stretch of the M4 and thinks they may have valuable information or dashcam footage to get in touch.
