Girl, 17, with autism who died after getting out of police car on M5 was 'kindest ever', mum says

Tamzin Hall was "the most kindest, caring, loving, loyal girl ever" her mother Amy Hall revealed in a tribute after the teen died in a fatal crash on the M5

Heartbreaking tributes have been paid to a teenager who was killed in a fatal crash on a UK motorway after being detained by police.

Tamzin Hall, the 17-year-old girl who died after fleeing a police vehicle on the M5 motorway, had been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder her mother Amy Hall said as she paid tribute to her daughter as" the most kindest, caring, loving, loyal girl ever".

Tamzin, from Wellington, exited a stationary police vehicle on the northbound side of motorway, near junction 25 (Taunton) at about 11pm on Monday 11 November.

She was hit by a vehicle travelling southbound moments later.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct is carrying out an investigation into the circumstances of what happened last week, following a mandatory referral by Avon and Somerset Police.

Amy Hall, Tamzin’s mother, described her eldest daughter as her ‘best friend’ and said her family were ‘devastated’.

Amy said: “Tamzin was the most kindest, caring, loving, loyal girl ever. She was the most honest person I’ve ever known; she was very special to me.

“She had a great sense of humour, and we had many laughs together.

“She was my shadow from the moment she opened her eyes in the morning until she went to sleep at night. She was such an intelligent young girl and had such interesting perceptions on things in life.”

Amy added: “Tamzin was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, so she was unique and saw the world in such a different way.

“Tamzin was my absolute everything and I can’t believe she isn’t here anymore. She was my world.

“She put her all into absolutely everything. She loved helping out as a young child, if you set her a task, she would put her all into it and want it just right.

“She was always so thoughtful and would put others before herself. She loved the simple things in life, talking and her family. Plus, she absolutely loved chocolate – she was chocolate mad!”

Amy continued: “Tamzin was such a wonderful daughter. She was a beautiful person.

“My life will never be the same but I’m using my strength for my other children, Tamzin’s siblings.

“She was only 17 but she has taught me a lot and I can use that memory and hold on to that.

“I will never ever get over it, she was taken far too young.”

Avon & Somerset Police made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct due to prior police contact in the wake of the devastating crash earlier this month. The Independent Office for Police Conduct has confirmed the girl had been detained by cops before she died.

Initial reports said she was struck down by a car and died at the scene of the collision on the M5. The incident, which happened at 11pm on November 11, lead to both directions of the south-western motorway being shut down between Junction 24 for Bridgwater, and Junction 25 for Taunton. Police cordoned off the area while they carried out their investigation of the crash site.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has confirmed in a statement that it is investigating the incident.

A spokesperson said: “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.”