EMERGENCY services from South Gloucestershire were among those who rushed to the scene of a 37-car pile-up on the M5 motorway in Somerset.

Avon Fire and Rescue Service sent two appliances to the horrific accident, near junction 25 (Taunton) on Friday night, which claimed the lives of seven people.

The service sent a heavy rescue tender and a welfare unit from Avonmouth Fire Station to assist Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, as well as a station manager.

Spokeswoman Stephanie Mounsey said: "Three fire appliances from Weston-super-Mare Fire Station went to Bridgwater Fire Station to provide cover in the event of another incident in the area and other appliances from across the Avon area provided fire cover for the Avonmouth and Weston-super-Mare areas.

"Appliances from Avonmouth also attended the scene on Saturday to further assist with the incident."

One of the victims was father-of-five Terry Brice, a 55-year-old lorry driver from Patchway, who was travelling as a passenger in one of the lorries caught up in the crash.

In addition, 51 people were injured in the crash, making it one of the worst motorway pile-ups in a generation, and a number are still in hospital some with serious injuries.

Expert paramedics from Great Western Ambulance Service's Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), specially trained to treat victims at the scene of major incidents, attended for the first few hours.

Meanwhile, Avon and Somerset Constabulary is investigating the cause of the crash and is looking into the possibility that a nearby fireworks display at Taunton Rugby Club was a distraction to drivers.

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.

"We do believe that whilst there was fog, and it was difficult conditions in the area, that actually from witness evidence that there was very significant smoke across the carriageway which in effect caused a bank - similar to a fog bank - which was very distracting and very difficult to drive through."

The club's secretary has said they are helping police with their inquiries.

Chief Constable Colin Port paid tribute to the emergency services.

He said: "My heart goes out to everyone involved and on behalf of all the people of Avon and Somerset I would like to give my condolences to those who have lost loved ones.

"I would like to say a huge thank you to officers from all the emergency services who have had to deal with this very difficult and traumatic incident. Everyone has pulled together, including members of the community, local businesses, all our partners and all those outside of Avon and Somerset to provide help and support to those involved."