M5 collision: Girl, 17, killed in horror crash had been detained by police

The incident happened between junctions 24 for Bridgwater and 25 for Taunton, both in Somerset at around 11pm on Monday night

A 17-year-old girl tragically died in a horror crash on the M5 motorway after being detained by police.

Avon & Somerset Police made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct due to prior police contact. According to the BBC, 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 last night, 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 carry out their investigation of the crash site.

The situation remains the same this morning, with Travel Somerset posting on Twitter: "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."

In the early hours of this morning, National Highways south-west said: "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 said the incident occurred at about 11pm on Monday evening, with the teenager dying at the scene. Police said the victim's next of kin have been notified and are being supported by a specially-trained officer. No one else was injured in the incident.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or has dashcam footage is urged to call 101 and give the call handler the reference of log number 1170 of 11 November.

It comes after a lorry driver died during a horrific crash on the M6 motorway, in which his HGV overturned, sparking road closures. Lancashire Police said they are appealing for witnesses after being contacted about a serious collision on the M6 on Wednesday last week.

The heavy goods vehicle (HGV) was travelling northbound when it veered into the opposite carriageway, colliding with several other vehicles as it did.

The driver of the HGV was a man in his 50s, who was tragically pronounced dead at the scene, police added. The driver of a Ford Transit, a man in his 40s, and the driver of a Suzuki Swift, a woman also in her 40s, suffered serious injuries and were rushed to hospital. Another three individuals suffered minor injuries in the collision, which involved 10 vehicles in total.

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