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'SORRY GUYS AND GIRLS'

Traffic cop’s bizarre selfie next to M5 where woman sparked 19-mile traffic chaos after threatening to jump off bridge

Drivers got out to walk their dogs, sit in deckchairs, and even play RUGBY after traffic came to a grinding halt

THIS picture shows the astonishing moment a traffic officer decided to take a SELFIE after cops had to talk a woman down from a motorway bridge that caused a 19-mile long tailback earlier today.

The enormous traffic jam that closed part of the M5 appeared to the signal the arrival of the Bank Holiday travel chaos, as people journey away from home for the three-day weekend.

 

FAMEFLYNET - Thousands Of Cars Caravans And Lorries Were Stuck On The M5 in Somerset
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Motorists got out of their cars to stretch their legs and make conversation during this morning's M5 traffic jamCredit: Fame Flynet
FAMEFLYNET - Thousands Of Cars Caravans And Lorries Were Stuck On The M5 in Somerset
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Two dogs would have been grateful after being put on their leads and taken for a walk as the 19-mile tailback showed no sign of movingCredit: Fame Flynet
FAMEFLYNET - Thousands Of Cars Caravans And Lorries Were Stuck On The M5 in Somerset
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A mother allowing her young daughter to walk down the centre of a motorway would normally be unthinkable, but one parent made the best of a potentially boring situation earlierCredit: Fame Flynet
FAMEFLYNET - Thousands Of Cars Caravans And Lorries Were Stuck On The M5 in Somerset
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School's out? Three youngsters who appear to be dressed in uniformed kicked a ball around in the empty adjacent laneCredit: Fame Flynet

Drivers questioned how it took cops three hours to arrest the woman - with Sergeant Harry Tangye bizarrely posting a selfie of him on the bridge moments after she was detained.

In the tweet the officer said: "Sorry guys and girls, someone threatening to jump off bridge, but now off and traffic moving."

However it wasn't enough to dampen the optimism of some holiday-spirited drivers, who got out of their cars to walk their dogs, have a chat, and even PLAY RUGBY.

One driver even unloaded a portable toilet from his trailer for people to use, as others sat on deckchairs and took the time out to read a magazine.

The M5 was closed in both directions between Junctions 26 and 27 near Wellington in Somerset shortly before 11am today.

At around 12.30pm traffic was not moving on a 19-mile stretch of the M5 from Taunton to Cullompton, according to the Highways England website.

Photographer Lawrie Richardson, 31, who took photos of men throwing a rugby ball around on the M5, said: "It struck me as typically British.
"They made the most of the situation by having a game of rugby to pass the time."

Avon and Somerset Police reopened the road at around 12.45pm.

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The force had earlier said the woman was "being moved from the bridge" and is "safe and well".

She was then arrested on suspicion of causing a public nuisance and is still in custody.

The force warned that there would be delays while the backlog of traffic clears, and advised motorists travelling to Wellington to consider postponing their journey.

The M5 was already expected to be exceptionally busy as holidaymakers begin heading to the South West for the August bank holiday weekend.

Bus strikes in London over the bank holiday weekend are expected to plunge people plans into jeopardy, with 24-hour walkouts taking place on August 26 and Bank Holiday Monday.

Rail operator Southeastern will also threaten commuters' plans this weekend as works on a major infrastructure project mean their trains will not stop at four London stations.

FAMEFLYNET - Thousands Of Cars Caravans And Lorries Were Stuck On The M5 in Somerset
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A woman chatted on her phone as thousands of cars were at a standstill in the lengthy M5 tailbackCredit: Fame Flynet
FAMEFLYNET - Thousands Of Cars Caravans And Lorries Were Stuck On The M5 in Somerset
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The cause of the standstill had this RAC man scratching his headCredit: Fame Flynet
FAMEFLYNET - Thousands Of Cars Caravans And Lorries Were Stuck On The M5 in Somerset
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Brits made the most of a bad situation and got into the holiday spirit earlyCredit: Fame Flynet
FAMEFLYNET - Thousands Of Cars Caravans And Lorries Were Stuck On The M5 in Somerset
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People had no reservations about getting out of their cars to relax in the middle of the motorwayCredit: Fame Flynet
FAMEFLYNET - Thousands Of Cars Caravans And Lorries Were Stuck On The M5 in Somerset
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Adults and children alike took the rare opportunity to stroll across a motorway without the threat of being run overCredit: Fame Flynet

Some of those stuck in tailbacks took to Twitter to express their frustration.
One user, named Rob, from Usk in Monmouthshire, south-east Wales, wrote: "Stationary for nearly 2 hours on the M5 #m5s #worldsbiggestcarpark."

Designer Sarah Dyer-Hall, from London, posted a photograph of people sitting on the central reservation barrier and advised other motorists to "avoid the area".

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