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Firefighters trying to reach the scene of as serious crash blocking the M5 have got stuck in traffic - because motorists are clogging up the hard shoulder.

Rescue crews said they were held up in tailbacks attempting to reach the smash involving a biker in Somerset because people are trying to drive the WRONG WAY up the hard shoulder to escape the gridlock.

An air ambulance landed at the scene following the incident, which completely closed the motorway in both directions.

For the latest traffic updates, follow our live blog on the incident .

Devon and Somerset firefighters from Wellington posted photographs on Facebook showing themselves sitting in traffic en route to the incident.

Drivers appear to have attempted to dodge the long queues by using the hard shoulder - blocking it to emergency vehicles.

A spokesperson for Wellington Fire Station said: "Currently stuck in traffic jam due to an accident on the motorway north bound between Taunton Deane services and the Taunton junction.

"Some people have taken it upon them selves to drive the wrong way down the hard shoulder and block the hard shoulder."

However some motorists including Chris Whiteway said that the motorists had been sent back down the hard shoulder: "Police have turned traffic away down the hard shoulder."

For up-to-date traffic news follow our live blog