On the evening of Sunday, November 30, 2025, a tragic sequence of events unfolded on the M5 motorway near Weston-super-Mare, resulting in the death of 18-year-old Logan Smith. The incident, now under the scrutiny of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), has raised pressing questions about police procedures, the use of force, and the support systems in place for both emergency responders and vulnerable individuals in crisis.
According to BBC and Metro, Logan Smith was being transported to hospital in an ambulance when paramedics became concerned for his welfare. The ambulance, traveling northbound on the M5, pulled over onto the hard shoulder just after 11pm, near the junction for Weston-super-Mare. The reasons for the paramedics' concerns have not been detailed publicly, but the decision to stop the vehicle was made out of an abundance of caution for Logan's safety and that of the crew.
What happened next was both sudden and devastating. As reported by The Independent, Logan exited the ambulance and, for reasons not yet fully understood, entered the live lanes of the motorway. The immediate danger was clear: traffic was moving at speed, and Logan was at grave risk. Ambulance staff, recognizing the peril, quickly called Avon and Somerset Police for urgent assistance.
A single police officer arrived at the scene within minutes. Body-worn video footage, reviewed by the IOPC, shows the officer attempting to engage with Logan, likely in an effort to bring him to safety and prevent harm to both Logan and other motorists. The footage then captures the officer discharging a Taser, which caused Logan to fall to the ground. Tragically, moments later, Logan was struck by a car traveling on the southbound carriageway. Despite the immediate provision of emergency first aid by both police and ambulance staff, Logan died at the scene.
In the aftermath, the IOPC launched an independent investigation into the actions and decisions of Avon and Somerset Police prior to Logan's death. The watchdog has emphasized its commitment to a thorough and impartial review, particularly focusing on the circumstances leading to the deployment of the Taser. Derrick Campbell, director of the IOPC, expressed his condolences in a statement widely quoted across British media: "My thoughts and sympathies are with Logan’s family and friends and everyone affected by this shocking and tragic incident. We want to reassure everyone that we will independently investigate all the circumstances surrounding this incident, including the use of a Taser."
Campbell also confirmed that initial accounts had been taken from the officer involved and the ambulance staff present at the scene. He added, "We met with Logan’s family on Tuesday, to give our condolences, explain our role and to provide some further detail about our investigation, including a Taser being discharged during the incident. We will continue to keep them updated and they request that their privacy be respected at such a difficult time." The IOPC has sent investigators to gather evidence, and both formal identification and a post-mortem examination of Logan have taken place, with the coroner duly informed.
The emotional toll of the incident has rippled far beyond Logan's immediate family. Joanne Hall, Assistant Chief Constable at Avon and Somerset Police, acknowledged the profound impact on emergency responders and bystanders alike. In a statement carried by BBC and Metro, she said: "This incident has had a significant effect on our officers and ambulance crews who are understandably incredibly upset by what happened. As well as providing support to the man’s family, we are also making sure that the appropriate welfare arrangements are in place for our staff and also for those members of the public who were either directly involved or who witnessed the incident."
Hall also confirmed that the force’s professional standards department had made a mandatory referral to the IOPC and pledged full cooperation with the investigation. She reiterated the police's commitment to transparency and accountability, stating, "We are also making sure that the appropriate welfare arrangements are in place for our staff and also for those members of the public who were either directly involved or who witnessed the incident."
The circumstances of Logan’s death have drawn particular attention to the use of Tasers by police, especially in situations involving individuals experiencing a mental health crisis or other vulnerabilities. The IOPC has made clear that it will examine not only the moment the Taser was deployed but also the broader context—how decisions were made, what alternatives were considered, and whether all procedures were followed appropriately. The investigation will also review whether the police response was proportionate to the risks faced by Logan and others at the scene.
This is not the first time the IOPC has investigated a fatality on this stretch of motorway involving police intervention. The case of 17-year-old Tamzin Hall, who died in November 2024 after being struck by a car on the M5, is also under review. Tamzin had managed to remove her handcuffs and flee from a police car while being transported to a custody suite in Bridgwater. The recurrence of such tragic incidents raises broader questions about the protocols in place for handling vulnerable individuals in police or medical custody, especially in high-risk environments like busy motorways.
While the investigation into Logan Smith’s death is ongoing, the IOPC has assured the public and Logan’s family that they will be kept informed of all developments. The family, for their part, have asked for privacy as they grieve the loss of their son and await answers.
For now, the community in Weston-super-Mare and beyond is left grappling with the aftermath of a deeply distressing event. The incident has sparked renewed debate about the intersection of policing, mental health, and public safety. As the IOPC’s inquiry proceeds, many will be watching closely—not just for accountability, but for lessons that might prevent such tragedies in the future.
The investigation’s findings will be closely scrutinized not only by Logan’s family but by a public increasingly concerned about the use of force in crisis situations. For the emergency workers who responded that night, the trauma of the event will linger. For Logan Smith’s loved ones, the loss is immeasurable. The hope, as echoed by officials and advocates alike, is that a thorough and transparent review will bring some measure of clarity—and perhaps, in time, change.
