6 December 2012 Last updated at 08:24 ET

Man dies and woman in 'serious condition' after M5 crashes

Traffic tailbacks began to build up after the collisions on the M5

One person has died and another remains in a "serious condition" after two separate collisions near junction 28 of the M5 in Devon.

A Shropshire man, 47, died in a collision involving four cars and a HGV between junctions 29 and 28.

Several hours earlier a 36-year-old London woman suffered "serious internal injuries" when a van crashed through the central reservation.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Devon and Cornwall Police.

The police said the van, driven by a 40-year-old woman from Exeter, was travelling northbound when it struck the central reservation, crossed into the opposite carriageway and into the path of the woman's car.

The car driver was airlifted to Derriford Hospital where she remains in a serious condition.

The van driver was taken to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, treated and later released.

The road was closed in both directions until about 01:00 GMT between junctions 28 and 29, leading to congestion on roads near the motorway.