A Taunton mum who drove past the M5 crash last night has compared the scene to a war zone.

Samantha Terry, 29, had been travelling with her two-old-year daughter Georgia at around 8.30pm when she came across the site just minutes after the crash.

She said: “It looked like a building was on fire. Then I heard a small explosion. Lorries were jack-knifed, vehicles were on fire, and people were looking on just holding their head in their hands in disbelief. It was like a war zone, it was awful.

“People were running around trying to free people trapped inside vehicles. I felt panicked and was just relieved my daughter slept through it.

“I only saw it for about five seconds but I couldn’t sleep that night, thinking about everything that had happened.

“My heart goes out all the family and friends of people affected by this, and to the emergency services.”

Several people have died in the crash involving up to 27 vehicles near junction 25, Taunton. And more than 40 people have been injured, some of them seriously.

This morning, a spokesman for Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton said they were treating 16 casualties for a range of trauma injuries.

Jo Cubbon, Chief Executive said, “Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy. “I would like to pay tribute to the staff at Musgrove and all our emergency services partners who have responded with the utmost professionalism in these difficult circumstances.”

• If you fear for the welfare of a loved one, and have tried usual measures to contact them, call 0800 092 0410."

More updates will follow.

Were you at the scene? Send your photos or videos to newsdesk@countygazette.co.uk or call 01823-365101.