A tragic incident occurred on the M5 motorway late Monday night when a 17-year-old girl was struck and killed shortly after exiting a police car. The details surrounding the event have raised several questions, prompting the initiation of investigations by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
The incident unfolded around 11 PM, on the northbound carriageway between junctions 24 (Bridgwater) and 25 (Taunton) in Somerset. According to Avon and Somerset Police, the young girl had been detained and was being transported to custody when she reportedly left the police vehicle. Shortly thereafter, she was hit by another vehicle on the opposite carriageway.
Emergency services responded swiftly but, unfortunately, the girl was pronounced dead at the scene. No other persons were reported injured as a result of the collision. A mandatory referral to the IOPC was made due to the prior contact the girl had with the police, as per standard procedure when fatalities occur following police engagement.
The aftermath of the incident saw the M5 closed for several hours, impacting travel and leading to significant congestion. National Highways reported delays of up to 90 minutes on the southbound side as diversions were implemented. The motorway fully reopened later on Tuesday morning, with traffic slowly returning to normal.
Det Chief Supt Rachel Shields expressed deep sympathies to the victim's family, indicating the emotional toll this event has had not only on the girl’s loved ones but also on the officers involved. “Our thoughts are first and foremost with the girl's family,” Shields stated. She highlighted the support being provided to the family by specially trained officers during this difficult time.
Simultaneously, the IOPC, which oversees the operations of police forces, stated they had initiated their investigation to gather all relevant evidence. They emphasized their commitment to transparency, stating, “We believe it is important to be as transparent as possible at this early stage about the tragic circumstances.” They are particularly focused on determining how the girl was able to exit the police vehicle and reach the busy motorway.
Witnesses to the incident have been urged to come forward, especially those with dashcam footage or other relevant information. Avon and Somerset Police are doing everything possible to piece together the events leading to this tragic accident.
While the police have refrained from disclosing specific details surrounding the girl's detention, the fact remains this incident has raised serious concerns about police procedures during such transports. There are pressing questions about how the situation escalated to the point of her exiting the vehicle and made her vulnerable on the motorway.
Detectives have reiterated their appeal for any witnesses or motorists who may have dashcam footage to contact them with reference log number 1170 of November 11.
Tragically, as investigations continue, the life of yet another young person has been cut short, leaving families and communities grappling with loss and the unanswered questions surrounding such incidents. The outcome of the IOPC investigation will be pivotal not only for those directly affected but also for policy and procedure reviews moving forward.