Teen girl killed on M5 motorway after getting out of police car named

A teenage girl killed after she exited a police car on a busy motorway has been named. Tazmin Hall, 17, was on the M5 northbound at the time of the incident.

She died at around 11pm on Monday, November 11, after being hit by a car between junctions 24 for Bridgwater and 25 near Taunton in Somerset. The teen had exited a police vehicle that had stopped on the northbound side while transporting her moments before the incident.

A mandatory referral was made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct which is now carrying out its own investigation into what happened. A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: "Our thoughts and sympathies go out to Tamzin’s family for their devastating loss.

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"A specially-trained family liaison officer remains in contact with them to keep them updated and to provide support." In a previous statement, a spokesperson for the force added: ''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 staff will be "able to access welfare support" following the tragedy, The Mirror reports. "Our thoughts are first and foremost with the girl’s family," she said.

"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. 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."

Brumwish 2024 - buy a gift for a child in need

BrumWish 2024 is Birmingham Live's festive drive to get thousands of gifts to children and young people across our city - among them the homeless, the vulnerable, kids in care, kids who are poorly or struggling, and kids who have little.

There are THREE simple ways to help.

1. Buy a new gift from the Brumwish 2024 Amazon giftlist. In just a click your donation will be whizzing its way to our volunteers at Edgbaston Stadium.
2. Donate money to the appeal fund hosted by Thrive Together Birmingham - this will help pay for gifts for kids with specialist needs or specific wishes.
3. Buy a gift and, even better, rope in friends, neighbours and workmates to do the same, then drop off your pressies at Edgbaston Stadium, Edgbaston Road, B5 7QU on Friday 6th December, 10am - 3pm; Saturday 7th December, 10am - 1pm; or Monday 9th December, 10am - 1pm. Volunteers will be there to help you. Please don't wrap your gifts. You can also drop off by arrangement until Monday 16th December - contact Louise on 07469 979286.

Thanks to our partnership with #Toys4Birmingham, every single gift will find a good home in the loving care of a child living in B&Bs or hotels, hostels or refuges, children receiving support from specialist organisations and charities, and families being supported by children's centres and charities around the city.

Making up the Brumwish and Toys4Birmingham gang are Thrive Together Birmingham, Birmingham Playcare Network, Warwickshire Cricket Foundation (the charitable arm of Warwickshire County Cricket Club), Birmingham Forward Steps and BirminghamLive/Birmingham Mail.

Thank you to Amazon UK and the amazing team at the Sutton Coldfield depot for their support.