A tragic incident on the M5 motorway last November resulted in the death of 17-year-old Tamzin Hall, who managed to remove her handcuffs and flee from a police car before being struck by a vehicle. Tamzin, who had been arrested on suspicion of assault and criminal damage, was being transported by two Avon and Somerset Police officers to a custody suite in Bridgwater when the fatal event occurred.
According to a recent annual report released by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), Tamzin was handcuffed with her hands in front and seated in the rear passenger side of the police car, with an officer sitting beside her. During the journey, she succeeded in removing her handcuffs, climbing to the front passenger seat, opening the door, and exiting the moving vehicle.
The report states: “While on her way to custody, the child managed to remove her handcuffs, climb into the front passenger seat, access the front passenger door and get out of the moving car. The child ran across the road and was struck by a vehicle on the opposite carriageway. The child died at the scene.”
READ MORE: British Siblings, 11 and 13, Drown After Struggling in Sea off Salou Beach
READ MORE: Yeovil Town Manager Urges Patience as Squad Gears Up for New Season
The police vehicle had stopped on the northbound carriageway of the M5 between junctions 25 at Taunton and 24 at Bridgwater shortly after 11 pm on November 11. Tamzin then crossed the road and climbed a crash barrier, where she was hit by a car traveling southbound. She sustained fatal injuries to her head, neck, and chest.
An inquest held at Wells Town Hall further detailed the circumstances surrounding Tamzin’s death. The IOPC is conducting a thorough investigation focusing on the contact between Tamzin and the two officers prior to the incident. Their assessment includes reviewing the officers’ actions, decision-making processes, and risk evaluations to determine if they adhered to proper training and policies.
This heartbreaking case raises critical questions about custody procedures, police transport safety measures, and how vulnerable individuals are secured during police operations.