Tributes have been paid to an elderly couple killed in one of the worst British motorway crashes in memory, as a rugby club fireworks event held near the site became the focus of the police inquiry.
Anthony and Pamela Adams, from Newport, south Wales, were named locally as being among the victims of the 34-vehicle pile-up on the M5 in Somerset which claimed seven lives and left 51 injured on Friday evening.
The Reverend Andrew Willie told the congregation at St Mark's Church, where the couple attended, that they had died. Avon and Somerset Police have not confirmed the identities of any of the victims.
Neighbour and close friend Doreen Martin, 88, said: "The vicar made the announcement this morning. It's such a shock. They were a lovely couple." She said Mr and Mrs Adams, who were in their seventies, had a large family of children and grandchildren.
Police said witnesses had reported "significant smoke" across the carriageway that was "impossible to drive through" and have launched a criminal, as well as a road policing, investigation.
Taunton Rugby Club announced in a statement that it was "working closely with Avon and Somerset police to assist with their investigations".
Assistant Chief Constable Anthony Bangham said: "Our main line of inquiry has now moved towards the event that was on the side of the carriageway and we do believe that while there was fog and it was difficult conditions in the area, that actually from witness evidence there was very significant smoke across the carriageway.
"That in effect caused a bank similar to a fog bank, which was very distracting and very difficult to drive through. We will be doing everything we can to find out as quickly as we're able to what's behind that."
Witnesses at the fireworks display - held at Taunton Rugby Club - were being interviewed, he said, adding that accountability was "clearly something we will look at." He went on: "We believe from the witnesses and from what we're being told that it was smoke and not fog. The vehicles and people who were entering into the smoke bank have just described it as being impossible to drive through and that of course causing them to brake."
Read More
The motorway was closed in both directions between junctions 24 and 25 following the incident, which took place at about 8.25pm in wet and foggy conditions on the northbound carriageway. Both carriageways have now reopened.
