On a chilly November night in Somerset, tragedy struck on the M5 motorway, leaving a family shattered and a community searching for answers. Tamzin Hall, a 17-year-old from Wellington, died after fleeing a police vehicle and being struck by a car on the motorway between Taunton and Bridgwater. The events of that night, and the circumstances leading up to them, have prompted an official investigation and ignited a debate about how vulnerable young people are treated in the care and justice systems.
According to BBC News, Tamzin was being transported from her care home in Taunton to police custody in Bridgwater on November 11, 2024. She had been arrested for assault and criminal damage earlier that evening. Despite being handcuffed and accompanied by two police officers—one seated beside her in the back seat—Tamzin managed to remove her restraints, climb into the front passenger seat, open the door, and exit the moving police car. She then crossed the motorway, climbed a crash barrier, and was struck by a vehicle traveling on the opposite carriageway. She was pronounced dead at the scene at 11:10 p.m., having suffered fatal head, neck, and chest injuries.
Her mother, Amy Hall, has been outspoken in her grief and anger, telling the BBC, "Tamzin was desperately failed. She never got the right help, she never got listened to." Ms Hall has questioned the decisions made by authorities that night, particularly why her daughter—who was known to be high-risk and impulsive—was transported in a standard police car rather than a secure van. "My question is - how did she manage to get out of the handcuffs and out of the car with two police officers?" she asked, echoing the sentiments of many who have followed the case.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is now investigating the incident. The IOPC has served both officers involved with misconduct notices, citing a "potential breach of their duties and responsibilities." According to an annual IOPC report, Tamzin was handcuffed with her hands in front and placed in the rear passenger seat. An officer was seated next to her during transport. The police vehicle pulled over on the northbound side of the M5 for "safety reasons" before Tamzin made her escape. The investigation is examining the officers' actions, decision-making, and whether they followed relevant training and policies.
Avon and Somerset Police have referred the incident to the IOPC and stated they are committed to assisting the inquiry. In a public statement, the force said, "It's clear how loved she was and how much she is dearly missed by those who knew her. We are committed to being open and transparent about what happened and we have said from the outset that we will do whatever we can to assist the IOPC's enquiries." The statement also emphasized the importance of officer welfare, noting that support is being provided to those involved in the incident.
Tamzin's story is not just one of a tragic accident but also of a young life marked by challenges and missed opportunities for support. Diagnosed with autism and suffering from severe mental health issues, Tamzin's difficulties began early. Her father died of cancer when she was just eight years old—a loss that profoundly affected her. "That was really difficult for the children," Ms Hall recalled. "Tamzin would be sent out of class, she found it overwhelming and got very anxious. They didn't know that at the time so it just looked like bad behaviour."
As her struggles intensified, Tamzin was eventually placed in a care home, a decision her mother now believes was a turning point for the worse. "You think of children that go into care because there's problems at home, but Tamzin came from a loving family home and she was well loved and looked after. Then suddenly she was taken away from me and you have to trust the people to look after her," Ms Hall told the BBC. She added, "It was completely the wrong environment for her. She missed home, she missed me. She used to say: 'I know why I can't be at home. My behaviour is scary sometimes for the other children.'"
On the day she died, Tamzin was described as acting "very strange" and had been drinking alcohol. Ms Hall said she sent numerous messages to staff expressing her concerns but felt ignored. "She got agitated, she'd been drinking. She wanted to go out and she wasn't allowed to go out, that's all I know. Did they always need to call the police? I wasn't there but sometimes I think the way they handled talking to her would make a situation worse."
The IOPC's investigation is expected to shed light on whether proper procedures were followed and whether more could have been done to keep Tamzin safe. A spokesperson for Somerset Council, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, and the young people's care charity Homes2Inspire said, "Our thoughts remain with Amy, Tamzin's family, and all those affected by this devastating incident. We are supporting the IOPC investigation into the circumstances leading up to Tamzin's tragic death and do not want to prejudice this process by commenting further at this time."
In the weeks following Tamzin's death, her mother paid a moving tribute to her daughter, describing her as "the most kindest, caring, loving, loyal girl ever. She was the most honest person I've ever known; she was very special to me. She was my shadow from the moment she opened her eyes in the morning until she went to sleep at night." Tamzin, she said, "was unique and saw the world in such a different way" due to her autism spectrum disorder. She loved cooking, birds, and was "chocolate mad." Ms Hall added, "She put her all into absolutely everything. She loved helping out as a young child, if you set her a task, she would put her all into it and want it just right. She was always so thoughtful and would put others before herself. She loved the simple things in life, talking and her family."
Ms Hall's grief remains raw. "I'm still trying to learn to live with it and not having any answers makes me angry," she said. "It's silly things like: 'I must tell Tamzin this.' When she turns 21, I think - I'm not going to see that. Would she ever have gotten married?" Despite the pain, she continues for the sake of her other children, saying, "She was only 17 but she has taught me a lot and I can use that memory and hold on to that. I will never ever get over it, she was taken far too young."
As the IOPC's investigation continues, Tamzin Hall's story serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by young people with complex needs and the critical importance of getting their care—and protection—right. The outcome of the inquiry may provide some answers, but for her family, the loss is immeasurable and the questions remain deeply personal.
