Girl, 17, killed in horror crash on M5 motorway after getting out of police vehicle

A 17-year-old girl who died after being hit by a car on the M5 near Taunton, Somerset, on Monday night was being taken to custody in a police vehicle and had got out shortly before the collision, the Independent Office for Police Conduct said. The girl was reported to have been hit by a vehicle and succumbed to her injuries on-site.

Avon and Somerset Police have not disclosed more details as of yet. Post the incident, which happened at about 11pm on November 11, both directions of the M5 were shut down between Junction 24 for Bridgwater and Junction 25 for Taunton, to allow for police investigative work.

An IOPC 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 (Monday).

“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.”

Travel Somerset tweeted on Tuesday morning: "Major traffic build-up around #M5 corridor this morning due to M5 being closed both ways. Please plan ahead, expect significant congestion. We're not expecting the M5 to reopen until lunchtime."

During the early hours, National Highways South West communicated that: "Traffic caught within the closure of the #M5 north between J25 (#Taunton) and J24 (#Bridgwater) is being turned around from the back of the queue. Correction to our previous update, south traffic is not being turned yet. But will in due course. Thanks for your patience."

Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that the unfortunate incident took place around 11pm Monday, and although emergency services attended promptly, the teenager was declared deceased at the scene. The family of the victim has been informed and is receiving support from specially trained officers, while it was noted that no other individuals were harmed during the event, reports the Mirror.

A mandatory referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct due to previous police contact. Witnesses or those with dashcam footage of the crash are urged to call 101 and provide the reference log number 1170 of 11 November.

This follows a tragic incident on the M6 motorway where a lorry driver lost his life in a horrific crash that resulted in his HGV overturning and causing road closures. Lancashire Police are appealing for witnesses following the serious collision last Wednesday.

The HGV was travelling northbound when it veered into the opposite carriageway, colliding with several other vehicles. The driver, a man in his 50s, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

A man in his 40s driving a Ford Transit and a woman in her 40s driving a Suzuki Swift were seriously injured and taken to hospital. Three other individuals suffered minor injuries in the collision, which involved a total of 10 vehicles.