Deer Humanely Euthanized by Armed Police After Collision Near M5

Early on the morning of Friday, January 16, a deer was humanely euthanized following a collision with a vehicle near the M5 motorway in Tewkesbury.

Witnesses reported the presence of armed police on the Northway Bridge around 5:45 a.m., responding to the incident. The deer had sustained injuries from being struck by the vehicle and was found in visible distress.

To prevent the animal from enduring further pain, officers made the difficult decision to humanely dispatch the deer. A single gunshot was heard shortly after police arrived on the scene.

A Gloucestershire Police spokesperson confirmed: “We were called at approximately 5:40 a.m. after a vehicle hit a deer on Northway Lane, the bridge spanning the M5 in Tewkesbury. Upon arrival, the deer was in distress, and to avoid unnecessary suffering, it was euthanized humanely.”

The prompt action by the police aimed to ensure the welfare of the injured animal while maintaining public safety on the busy roadway.