What we know about death of girl on M5 leaving police car

Tamzin Hall, 17, from Wellington died after she was hit by a car on the M5, police confirmed

James Hockaday and Ellen Manning
·4-min read
A general view of the M5 motorway in Worcestershire, as members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union begin their nationwide strike in a bitter dispute over pay, jobs and conditions. Picture date: Tuesday June 21, 2022. (Photo by David Davies/PA Images via Getty Images)
A 17-year-old was struck by a car on the M5 motorway. (general view/Getty).

A 17-year-old girl who died after being hit by a car on the M5 motorway has been formally identified as an investigation is underway by the police watchdog into what happened.

Tamzin Hall was being taken to custody when she reportedly got out of an Avon and Somerset Police vehicle and was hit by a car on the southbound carriageway in Somerset.

Avon & Somerset Police said the teen, from Wellington, had: "exited a police vehicle that had stopped on the northbound side while transporting her, moments before the incident".

The force said a mandatory referral had been made to the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which is now carrying out its own investigation into what happened.

It added: "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."

Avon and Somerset Police say the girl was being transported in a police vehicle shortly before she was hit by a car on the M5.

Officers stopped the vehicle while heading northbound between junctions 25 (Taunton) and 24 (Bridgwater), the force said.

While the vehicle was still stationary, the girl got out and was subsequently hit on the southbound carriageway just after 11pm on Monday, 11 November, police said.

The ambulance service attended the scene within minutes, and the girl was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said no one else had been injured.

Detective Chief Superintendent Rachel Shields said: “Our thoughts are first and foremost with the girl’s family. Overnight we have updated her next of kin regarding what has happened and we will ensure they are supported by specially-trained officers at what is an incredibly difficult time following the tragic loss of such a young life.”

The M5 was closed to clear the way for emergency services and investigators, and was later fully reopened in both directions.

In a statement, the IOPC said it was investigating the incident – as is mandatory for all cases of people dying while in police custody, or deaths following recent police contact.

A spokesperson for the watchdog said: "We were advised by Avon and Somerset Police that the girl was being transported to custody in a police vehicle and had got out of the vehicle shortly before the collision.

"We sent our investigators to the police post incident procedure to begin gathering evidence. Our sympathies are with the girl’s loved ones and everyone affected by her death.”

Police have yet to reveal multiple details about the incident, including why the girl was taken into custody.

Although many reports have described the girl as fleeing the police car, the circumstances that led to her leaving the vehicle have not been outlined by authorities. Questions also remain over how she was able to leave the vehicle and make her way to the southbound carriageway while under the supervision of police officers.

The girl was named by police as Tamzin Hill, but her family are yet to speak out publicly about her death.

More details will emerge as the IOPC concludes its investigation.

M5 junction 24
The girl was hit between junctions 24 and 25 of the M5 - between Bridgwater and Taunton. (Google Maps)

Det Ch Supt Shields said: “We believe it is important that we are as transparent as possible at this early stage about the tragic circumstances. The IOPC has decided to take on the investigation independently, and we welcome the oversight it will give.

“We recognise this incident has had a significant effect on the devastated officers, plus members of the public, who witnessed what happened, as well as other officers and staff involved in our response. We will ensure staff are able to access any welfare support they may benefit from following this tragedy.”

Avon and Somerset Police is appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to contact the force on 101, with the log number 1170 of 11 November.

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