A STRETCH of the M5 closed on Wednesday, December 20, after a lorry carrying tonnes of potatoes overturned and blocked all three lanes.

The section of southbound carriageway between J28 (Cullompton) and J29 (Exeter) was closed at 8.10am.

Devon and Cornwall Police soon revealed one person had been injured.

A spokesperson said: "Police were called to reports of a single-vehicle road traffic collision involving a lorry on the southbound carriageway of the M5 between just south of junction 28 at around 7.55am, Wednesday, December 20.

"One person is reported to have been injured but the injuries are not thought to be serious at this time.

Ambulance crews later announced the patient was taken to hospital.

Drivers held up by the incident were instructed to turn around and leave the road at the back of the queue.

The road closure was extended to J27 (Tiverton) to allow for this.

'Complex recovery' of the overturned lorry was still going on hours later at 4pm, when it was revealed 22 tonnes of potatoes from the lorry had to be shifted by hand.

A police spokesperson said: “We are rescuing as many as possible for charity!”

The road eventually re-opened 12 hours later at 8:12pm.