Mother says daughter who died on M5 'was failed' as police inquiry begins
Tamzin Hall, 17, died after fleeing a police car on the M5 in Somerset; family says the system failed her and officials are investigating.
A 17-year-old girl from Somerset died after fleeing a police vehicle on the M5, prompting an independent investigation. Tamzin Hall, of Wellington, died after being struck by a car on the M5 between Taunton and Bridgwater shortly after 23:00 GMT on 11 November. Her mother, Amy Hall, said Tamzin had been 'desperately failed' and did not receive the right help or the chance to be heard.
Tamzin was being transported in a police car to custody in Bridgwater from a Taunton care home when the incident occurred. The police pulled over on the northbound side for safety reasons, but Tamzin managed to get out and flee across the motorway, where she was hit by a car traveling on the southbound carriageway and died.
Avon and Somerset Police said it had referred the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct and could not speculate on their findings. The IOPC said Tamzin was handcuffed in the back of a police vehicle, with an officer alongside her, when the stop occurred.
Tamzin's mother said she should have been transported in a van rather than a car because of Tamzin's high-risk behaviour. 'My question is - how did she manage to get out of the handcuffs and out of the car with two police officers?' Ms Hall added.
Ms Hall described Tamzin as beautiful and caring, with a great sense of humor. She said Tamzin loved cooking, chocolate, and birds.
Tamzin's father died from cancer when she was eight, an event that her mother said affected her deeply. She spoke of anxiety and stress in Tamzin's school years, and described how Tamzin's behaviour led to moves to care homes.
Tamzin's support workers had called the police to transport her from a Taunton care home to custody in Bridgwater at about 22:40 GMT; she then fled on the M5.
The IOPC has served misconduct notices to both officers involved for a potential breach of duties. Avon and Somerset Police said the welfare of the officers at the scene would be looked after during the inquiry.
A spokesperson for Somerset Council, the NHS Foundation Trust and Homes2Inspire said they were supporting the IOPC investigation and would not comment further at this stage.
The incident has added to ongoing scrutiny over how authorities manage high-risk youths and events like this are under close investigation.
