A horror crash which has left one person seriously injured forced all flights to be delayed at Bristol Airport this morning.
The collision took place at around 1am, on the stretch of the A38 between the two roundabouts that are entrances to Bristol Airport.
The A38 had to be closed following the crash and passengers now face lengthy delays with dozens of flights impacted. It was the second serious road traffic collision on the busy road in just 10 hours.
Huge traffic built up after the road was closed in both directions as police, ambulances, and fire crews attended to the scene of the crash. Avon and Somerset Police warned motorists to avoid the area ‘following a two-vehicle collision’.
Avon Fire and Rescue said it made the scene safe by cleaning up a fuel spillage and removing sharp objects.
One person has been seriously injured and was taken to Southmead Hospital in an air ambulance.
Dozens of flights out of Bristol Airport have been delayed this morning following a horror crash on the A38
Live departure boards show a sea of delayed flights at Bristol Airport this morning. While flights are taking off now, there are still huge delays
South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust said: ‘We sent three double-crewed land ambulances, an operations officer, a doctor, and an air ambulance.
‘We conveyed one patient by air ambulance to Southmead Hospital.’
The nearby A370 is also closed at Brockley Lane due to roadworks.
Passengers started trying to arrive for early morning flights from around 3.30am and found the main A38 road closed past the airport, and long queues formed on the main road and on country lanes around the airport as police tried to divert drivers around the scene.
Bristol Airport said at 4.50am this morning: ‘Flights will not take off from Bristol Airport this morning until 08:00.
‘This is due to the A38 being closed following a road traffic collision.
‘Passengers flying this morning are advised to leave extra time to travel to the Airport and check flight details with their airline.’
In an updated tweet at 8.04am, they said: ‘Flights are now taking off and arriving at Bristol Airport. The A38 remains closed following a serious road traffic collision. We advise passengers to leave extra time to travel to the Airport today.’
Dozens of flights were delayed, causing frustration among passengers waiting in the departure lounge
Passengers sit on the floor as they wait for information regarding their flights on Saturday morning
Despite flights now taking off, live departure boards show there are still several delays as the airport deals with a huge backlog.
A total of 26 flights were due to take off before 8am, and all were delayed, with passengers attempting to get to Bristol Airport complaining that they were directed to car parks that were closed. X-user Peter Max’s post just after 7am was typical of many from people stuck in traffic outside.
‘Please advise how to get in,’ he wrote in reply to Bristol Airport. ‘We’ve been three hours and got to North side to get told by police both entry roads shut. chaos on roads around airport and avoidable if you were clear on what we should do.’
Dicky Moore posted on X, formerly Twitter, at 1.57am: ‘Managed to get away from Bristol airport, leaving the car there. Need to get the kids to bed.
‘I have no idea what’s happened but the road between the carpark and the airport is closed. Have seen scores of ambulance, police, helicopters. I hope it’s not as bad as it looks.’
At 6.35am there were still numerous delays as Bristol Airport attempted to get through a backlog of flights
Pictures show the overcrowded departure lounge with passengers looking visibly glum with the delays.
One passenger told BristolLive: ‘Stood in the departure lounge at Bristol airport – no announcements or information being provided to the thousands of people waiting here.
‘Not everyone has access to X to see their flights are massively delayed.’
The collision on the A38 was the second serious one near Bristol Airport in less than 10 hours.
The A38 was closed for around five hours on Friday afternoon and into Friday evening after a crash just north of the airport’s main entrance.
Avon and Somerset Police said: ‘We are advising motorists to avoid the A38 near Bristol Airport this morning (Saturday 28 October) following a two-vehicle collision. The road is currently closed between the two airport roundabouts.’