Two police officers have been served with misconduct notices following the death of a teenager who fled from custody and was killed on the M5 motorway in Somerset.
Tamzin Hall, 17, died after being struck by a car on the southbound carriageway of the M5 between Taunton and Bridgwater shortly after 11pm on November 11.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into the officers’ actions, examining their duties and responsibilities during the incident.
The two Avon and Somerset Police officers are being investigated for potential breaches of protocol, with investigators reviewing witness accounts, CCTV and body-worn camera footage.
Drivers were warned of hours-long traffic due to the crash
TRAFFIC ENGLAND
The teenager was being transported to custody in Bridgwater from an address in Taunton when officers pulled over for “safety reasons”, according to the IOPC.
At the time of her escape, Hall was handcuffed with her hands in front of her and had an officer seated beside her in the marked police vehicle. She managed to flee from the stationary police car on the northbound carriageway of the motorway.
Tragically, after escaping custody, Hall crossed onto the southbound carriageway where she was struck by a vehicle.
The IOPC said it began its investigation after being notified by the force and is examining the officers’ actions, decision-making and risk assessments leading up to the incident.
Avon and Somerset Constabulary has launched an investigation
PA
IOPC Regional Director David Ford said: “My thoughts and sympathies remain with Tamzin’s family and friends, and everyone affected by the tragic events of that evening.”
He added: “We have met with Tamzin’s family to offer our condolences and to outline how our investigation will progress. We will provide them with regular updates as our inquiries continue.”
“Our investigation is in the early stages and we are working hard to establish the exact circumstances of what took place, from the time of Tamzin’s arrest, to how events unfolded a short time later on the M5,” Mr Ford explained.
An inquest into Tamzin’s death was opened and adjourned earlier this week.
In a heartfelt tribute, Tamzin’s mother Amy Hall described her eldest daughter as her “best friend” and said the family were devastated by their loss.
“Tamzin was the most kindest, caring, loving, loyal girl ever. She was the most honest person I’ve ever known; she was very special to me,” said Hall.
She explained that Hall had been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, which gave her a unique perspective on the world.
“She was my shadow from the moment she opened her eyes in the morning until she went to sleep at night. She was such an intelligent young girl and had such interesting perceptions on things in life,” she added.
