Police issue update after human remains found on M4 and M48 motorways

A police investigation is underway following the discovery of human remains on a section of the M4 near Bristol. Avon and Somerset Police suspect the body to be that of a man in his 40s, and his family has been notified.

The grim find was made between junction 20 at the Almondsbury Interchange with the M5 and junction 21, near Awkley, in south Gloucestershire. Several motorists called 999 from 6.40pm on Saturday to report an object on the road, as per the force's statement.

"Officers attended and found human remains," Avon and Somerset Police confirmed. "An investigation to establish how the person came to be on the motorway continues."

READ MORE: M4 and M48 reopens after 'human remains' discovered saw motorway closed all night

A portion of the M4 between junction 20 and junction 22 at the Prince of Wales Bridge over the River Severn was shut for several hours, along with the eastbound section of the bridge and the M48 between the bridge and the M4.

National Highways reported that police began releasing traffic trapped on the M4 and M48 eastbound around midnight. The eastbound M4 was reopened around 1.30am on Sunday, with the westbound closures lifted about 3am, reports the Mirror.

Avon and Somerset Police are appealing to anyone who was travelling along that stretch of the M4 and believes they may have useful information or dashcam footage to come forward.

For our live blog on the event as it happened, click here.