The family of a young girl who tragically lost her life on a motorway while fleeing from the police has expressed that the driver involved 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 between junction 25 in Taunton and junction 24 in Bridgwater around 11pm on November 11, 2024. At the time of the accident, Tamzin was under arrest and being transported in an Avon and Somerset Police vehicle that had stopped on the motorway.
During a preliminary review at Taunton Coroner’s Court, Senior Coroner Samantha Marsh announced that Tamzin’s death would be the subject of an inquest to be heard by a jury. The inquest is provisionally scheduled to commence on January 11, 2027, at Wells Town Hall and is anticipated to span two to three weeks.
The recent court session was attended by members of Tamzin’s family, including her mother, representatives from Avon and Somerset Police, and the driver involved in the collision. A spokesperson for the Hall family underscored that the driver was entirely blameless in the tragic event that claimed Tamzin’s life.
At a previous inquest opening at Wells Town Hall, it was revealed that Tamzin had exited the police vehicle, crossed the road, and climbed over 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 Tamzin’s death, focusing on the interactions that the two Avon and Somerset Police officers had with her before the tragic incident. A report from the watchdog detailed how Tamzin managed to free herself from handcuffs inside the police car and move from the back passenger seat to the front passenger seat.
Tamzin’s mother, Amy Hall, previously described her daughter as her closest companion, emphasizing her kindness, love, loyalty, and unique sense of humor. Ms. Hall expressed profound devastation over the loss of her intelligent and perceptive daughter, underscoring the special bond they shared.
