The family of a young girl who tragically lost her life on a motorway while attempting to escape from the police has stated that the driver bears no responsibility for the incident. Tamzin Ellen Hall, a 17-year-old from Wellington, Somerset, suffered fatal injuries after being hit by a car on the M5 motorway between junctions 25 and 24 on the night of November 11, 2024. At the time of the accident, she was a passenger in an Avon and Somerset Police vehicle that had come to a stop on the motorway.
During a preliminary hearing at Taunton Coroner’s Court, Senior Coroner Samantha Marsh announced that Tamzin’s inquest would be conducted with a jury. The inquest is scheduled to take place on January 11, 2027, at Wells Town Hall and is anticipated to last two to three weeks.
The family of the deceased, along with representatives from Avon and Somerset Police and the driver involved in the collision, attended the hearing on Tuesday. A spokesperson for the Hall family stressed that the driver should not be held accountable for Tamzin’s death.
Initial details from the inquest opening at Wells Town Hall revealed that Tamzin exited the police car, crossed the road, and climbed a crash barrier before being struck by a passing vehicle on the southbound carriageway, resulting in fatal head, neck, and chest injuries.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding Tamzin’s death, including the interactions she had with two Avon and Somerset Police officers before the tragic incident. A report released by the watchdog outlined how Tamzin managed to free herself from handcuffs and move from the rear passenger seat to the front passenger seat of the police vehicle.
Amy Hall, Tamzin’s mother, previously described her daughter as her closest confidante and expressed profound sadness over the loss. Ms. Hall fondly recalled Tamzin as a remarkably kind, caring, and humorous individual, highlighting her intelligence and unique outlook on life.