A 17-year-old girl who was killed after being struck by a car on the M5 motorway while escaping a police car has been named.
Tamzin Hall, from Wellington, Somerset, was hit on the busy motorway between Bridgwater and Taunton on Monday night.
She was being taken to custody in a police vehicle and had got out on to the road shortly before the collision, the Independent Office for Police Conduct said.
A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: ‘The formal identification process has been completed this afternoon following the death of a teenage girl in a collision on the M5 in Somerset earlier this week.’
They added: ‘Our thoughts and sympathies go out to Tamzin’s family for their devastating loss. A specially-trained family liaison officer remains in contact with them to keep them updated and to provide support.
‘The family have asked for privacy at this difficult time.’
Avon and Somerset Police have faced serious questions about why they initially appeared to minimise their own involvement in the tragedy.
At the time of the crash, the police only said that the M5 was closed following a fatal collision between a ‘pedestrian and a car’ and neglected to mention she had fled their vehicle.
It was only some six hours later – after the IOPC revealed it was investigating – the force disclosed the full circumstances.
The police watchdog spokesperson said earlier this week: ‘We have started an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a 17-year-old girl who was struck by a vehicle on the M5 near Taunton last night.
‘We were advised by Avon and Somerset Police that the girl was being transported to custody in a police vehicle and had got out of the vehicle shortly before the collision.
‘We sent our investigators to the police post incident procedure to begin gathering evidence. Our sympathies are with the girl’s loved ones and everyone affected by her death.’
The force said in a statement at the time that the teenager’s next of kin had been informed and were being supported by a specially trained officer, adding: ‘Our thoughts are with them.
They added: ‘No one else was injured in the collision. The M5 is expected to remain closed for some time while enquiries are carried out.
‘A mandatory referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct due to recent prior police contact.’
But after it emerged the teenager was escaping the police car, the force put out a further statement.
It read: ‘We can confirm the 17-year-old was being transported in a police vehicle shortly before the fatal collision.
‘The officers stopped the vehicle while heading northbound between junctions 25 (Taunton) and 24 (Bridgwater).
‘The girl exited the stationary police vehicle, and she was subsequently tragically involved in a collision on the southbound carriageway involving another vehicle, shortly after 11pm.
‘The ambulance service were called and attended within a few minutes. The girl was sadly pronounced deceased at the scene.’
Detective Chief Superintendent Rachel Shields said: ‘Our thoughts are first and foremost with the girl’s family.
‘Overnight we have updated her next of kin regarding what has happened and we will ensure they are supported by specially-trained officers at what is an incredibly difficult time following the tragic loss of such a young life.’
Det Ch Supt Shields continued: ‘We believe it is important that we are as transparent as possible at this early stage about the tragic circumstances.
‘A critical incident was declared and our Professional Standards Department notified overnight. A mandatory referral has been made to the IOPC, on the grounds of a death following police contact.
‘The IOPC has decided to take on the investigation independently, and we welcome the oversight it will give.
‘We recognise this incident has had a significant effect on the devastated officers, plus members of the public, who witnessed what happened, as well as other officers and staff involved in our response. We will ensure staff are able to access any welfare support they may benefit from following this tragedy.