The family of a girl who tragically died on a motorway while being pursued by police stated that the driver was not responsible for the incident. Tamzin Ellen Hall, a 17-year-old from Wellington, Somerset, was fatally injured when she was hit by a car on the M5 between junction 25 at Taunton and 24 at Bridgwater late at night on November 11, 2024. At the time of the accident, she was in an Avon and Somerset Police vehicle that had pulled over on the motorway.
During a preliminary hearing at Taunton Coroner’s Court, Senior Coroner Samantha Marsh announced that Tamzin’s inquest would be heard by a jury. The inquest is tentatively scheduled to take place on January 11, 2027, at Wells Town Hall and is anticipated to span two to three weeks.
The hearing was attended by Tamzin’s family members, including her mother, representatives from Avon and Somerset Police, and the driver involved in the collision. A spokesperson for the Hall family stressed that the driver should not be blamed for Tamzin’s death.
According to an initial inquest at Wells Town Hall, Tamzin exited the police vehicle, crossed the road, and climbed a crash barrier before being struck by a vehicle on the southbound carriageway, resulting in fatal head, neck, and chest injuries.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is conducting an investigation into Tamzin’s death, focusing on the interactions between two Avon and Somerset Police officers and Tamzin prior to the incident. A report from the watchdog revealed that Tamzin managed to free herself from handcuffs and move from the back to the front passenger seat of the police car.
Tamzin’s mother, Amy Hall, described her daughter as her closest companion and expressed profound grief over her passing. She highlighted Tamzin’s exceptional qualities, emphasizing her kindness, intelligence, and unique perspective on life.
