A 17-year-old from Wellington was tragically hit by a vehicle after getting out of a police car on the M5 in Somerset

Tamzin Hall, a 17-year-old girl from Wellington, has been named as the victim in a tragic incident on the M5 motorway in Somerset. On Monday night, Tamzin was fatally struck by a vehicle while walking on the road after exiting a police car. The collision occurred between junctions 24 for Bridgwater and 25 for Taunton, shortly after 11pm.

According to Avon and Somerset Police, Tamzin had been in a police vehicle, which had stopped on the northbound side of the motorway while transporting her. After exiting the car, she was hit by another vehicle traveling southbound. Paramedics arrived at the scene within minutes, but tragically, Tamzin was pronounced dead at the scene.

A mandatory referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which is now conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. The police watchdog has expressed its condolences to Tamzin’s family and has pledged to keep them informed as their investigation progresses.

David Ford, IOPC Director, stated: “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 will ensure the family is kept fully updated as our investigation continues.”

In a statement, Avon and Somerset Police extended their deepest sympathies to the family, acknowledging the devastating loss. The force confirmed that a specially-trained family liaison officer is in contact with the family to offer support during this difficult time. The family has requested privacy.

The motorway was closed in both directions for several hours while investigations were carried out, with traffic resuming around 11am the following day.