Girl, 17, dies in fatal collision on motorway after fleeing police vehicle

A teenage girl has died after exiting a police vehicle and being struck by a car on a motorway in the UK.

The 17-year-old girl was being transported to custody when she got out of the Avon and Somerset Police vehicle, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said.

The officers stopped the vehicle while heading northbound on the M5 between Taunton and Bridgwater in Somerset.

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The girl exited the stationary police vehicle, and she was subsequently involved in a collision on the southbound carriageway involving another vehicle, shortly after 11pm on Monday.

The ambulance service was called and attended within a few minutes, however, the girl was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. No one else was injured in the incident.

The M5 was closed to enable emergency services to respond and investigative enquiries to be carried out. It has since been fully reopened.

Avon and Somerset Police referred the incident to the IOPC on the grounds of a death following police contact.

Detective Chief Superintendent Rachel Shields said: “Our thoughts are first and foremost with the girl’s family.

“Overnight we have updated her next of kin regarding what has happened and we will ensure they are supported by specially-trained officers at what is an incredibly difficult time following the tragic loss of such a young life.”

Det Ch Supt Shields continued: “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.”

In a statement, 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.

“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.”

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