A tragic incident unfolded as a young girl lost her life in a car accident on the M5 highway while attempting to escape from the police, according to an inquest report. The girl, identified as Tamzin Hall, was fatally struck by a vehicle as she dashed across the motorway between junction 25 in Taunton and junction 24 in Bridgwater at around 11 pm on November 11, 2024.
The sequence of events began when social workers alerted the police to a disturbance at the care home where the 17-year-old resided. Following her arrest for assault and criminal damage, Tamzin was being transported to the custody suite in Bridgwater by Avon and Somerset Police. However, during a stop on the northbound hard shoulder for safety, she managed to escape from the police car, despite being handcuffed and accompanied by an officer. Tragically, she was struck by a passing car on the southbound side of the motorway.
At a recent pre-inquest review, the senior coroner Samantha Marsh announced that Tamzin’s death would be subject to a jury inquest. The family representative emphasized that the driver who struck Tamzin was not responsible for the accident. The inquest is scheduled to take place on January 11, 2027, at Wells Town Hall, expected to span two to three weeks.
The hearing was attended by members of Tamzin’s family, law enforcement representatives, and the driver involved in the collision. Tamzin, a student from Wellington, Somerset, suffered fatal injuries and succumbed to them at the scene. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) report revealed details of the incident, indicating that Tamzin had managed to free herself from handcuffs and exit the police vehicle.
Two officers from Avon and Somerset Police received misconduct notices from the IOPC for potential breaches of their duties. Tamzin’s mother, Amy Hall, criticized the authorities for what she perceived as a failure to protect her daughter, highlighting Tamzin’s troubled history and the circumstances leading up to her tragic demise.
Amy recounted Tamzin’s struggles, linking them to the loss of her father and subsequent mental health challenges. She expressed concerns about the care provided to Tamzin and questioned the handling of the situation by the authorities on the day of her daughter’s death. Avon and Somerset Police expressed condolences and pledged cooperation with the IOPC investigation.
Various organizations involved in Tamzin’s care refrained from commenting on the ongoing investigation, expressing solidarity with Tamzin’s family and those affected by the incident.