Teenager who died M5 motorway after fleeing police vehicle is named

A 17-year-old girl who tragically died after running from a police car and being hit by another vehicle on the M5 has been identified. Tamzin Hall, hailing from Wellington, was in transit to a custody suite in Bridgwater with two officers in an Avon and Somerset Police vehicle from Taunton, Somerset.

The incident occurred shortly after 11pm on Monday when the police car stopped between junctions 25 at Taunton and 24 at Bridgwater on the northbound side. Tamzin exited the stationary vehicle and was struck by a car on the opposite side of the motorway.

Despite rapid response from paramedics, she was declared dead at the scene. Following the incident, Avon and Somerset Police have referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for investigation, reports Cornwall Live.

A spokesperson for the police expressed their condolences: "Our thoughts and sympathies go out to Tamzin's family for their devastating loss. A specially trained family liaison officer remains in contact with them to keep them updated and to provide support."

They also mentioned that the family has requested privacy during this challenging time. IOPC director David Ford commented on the sorrowful event: "This was a truly tragic incident and my thoughts are with Tamzin's family and friends and everyone affected by the events of that evening. We are contacting her family to express our sympathies, explain our role, and set out how our investigation will progress. We will keep them fully updated as our investigation continues."

"Our role is to independently investigate all the circumstances surrounding this incident."