ENQUIRIES are continuing into the death of a 25-year-old man whose body was found on the main carriageway of the M5, near Willand.

Formal identification of the man, who lived locally, is expected to take place later this week – the death is not being treated as suspicious and a file is being prepared for the coroner.

The southbound carriageway, between junction 29 Exeter and junction 27 Tiverton, was reopened at around 7.30am on Saturday and the northbound carriageway was reopened at lunchtime.

Both carriageways were closed to enable a thorough investigation of the scene to take place – and there was significant traffic disruption in the area as a result and drivers are thanked for their patience.

A police statement released on Saturday said: “It is suspected that the deceased male has fallen from an over bridge onto the M5 and subsequently been hit by a number of vehicles. “Next of kin have been informed however no details of the deceased will be released until formal identification has taken place.” Police were called to the incident early on Saturday morning at approximately 2.30am.

On arrival, they located the body of a man on the main carriageway of the M5.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to this incident to come forward calling 101 and quoting log reference 101 of 18/1014.