Police given misconduct notices over girl's M5 death

Two police officers have been served with misconduct notices after a 17-year-old girl died after fleeing a police vehicle, the watchdog has announced.

Tamzin Hall, 17, from Wellington, Somerset, sustained fatal injuries when she was struck by a car on the M5, between Taunton and Bridgwater shortly after 23:00 GMT on 11 November.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said Tamzin was handcuffed in the back of a police vehicle, with an officer alongside her, when it pulled over for "safety reasons".

"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," said IOPC regional director David Ford.

Tamzin fled the stationary marked police car on the northbound carriageway of the motorway, and died after being hit by a car on the southbound carriageway.

She was being transported to custody in Bridgwater, after being arrested following a disturbance at an address in Taunton at about 22:40 GMT.

The IOPC said it has served both officers with misconduct notices for a "potential breach of their duties and responsibilities", after launching an investigation earlier this month after being notified by the force.

Such notices advise officers their conduct is subject to investigation, and do not necessarily mean that any disciplinary proceedings will follow.

"My thoughts and sympathies remain with Tamzin's family and friends, and everyone affected by the tragic events of that evening," Mr Ford continued.

"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."

The opening of an inquest into her death heard Tamzin, who was a student, got out of the car and crossed the road before climbing the crash barrier.

She was hit by a vehicle driven by a member of the public and sustained fatal head, neck and chest injuries.

In a statement released after the hearing, Tamzin’s mother Amy Hall described her eldest daughter as her "best friend" and said the death had left their family "devastated".

"Tamzin was the most kindest, caring, loving, loyal girl ever," she said.

"She was my shadow from the moment she opened her eyes in the morning until she went to sleep at night."

Ms Hall said Tamzin, who was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, was "my absolute world".

"She was such an intelligent young girl and had such interesting perceptions on things in life," she said.

"Tamzin was my absolute everything and I can't believe she isn't here any more."

The IOPC investigation will look into what contact the police had with Tamzin prior to her death, including their actions, decision-making and risk assessments of the situation and whether these followed relevant training and policies.

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