Roadside Vigil For M5 Tragedy Victims

A special vigil will be held at the side of the M5 on Friday night - one week on from the huge pile-up which killed seven people and injured 51.

A minute's silence will be held at exactly 8.25pm - the time the crash occurred.

Hundreds of people are expected to attend the event, including families of some of the victims and senior representatives from the fire, police and ambulance services.

Also present will be doctors and other staff from Musgrove Park Hospital - where most of those injured were treated - civic leaders and local MP Jeremy Browne.

Organiser Adrian Prior-Sankey said: "It's an opportunity for the whole community to reflect on the terrible event, to offer a prayer for those affected and to express thanks to all those who responded so helpfully in the immediate aftermath."

Archdeacon of Taunton, the Venerable John Reed, is working with family liaison officers from Avon and Somerset Police to ensure the wishes of the victims' families are considered.

The vigil will be held in the Sainsbury's car park in The Hankridge Retail Park, which overlooks the crash site.

Floral tributes will later be laid on the bank of the southbound carriageway, just metres from the scene.

Churches from all over Taunton will be involved and hymns will be accompanied by the Salvation Army Band.