A tragic incident unfolded on the M5 motorway when a 17-year-old girl lost her life after being struck by a car shortly after exiting a police vehicle. This heartbreaking event occurred in Somerset, specifically between junctions 24 and 25, around 11:00 PM GMT on Monday. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is now investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision.
According to an IOPC representative, the teenager was being transported to custody by Avon and Somerset Police prior to the incident. Shortly before the crash, she exited the police vehicle. The IOPC has confirmed that they are actively gathering evidence related to this case.
The spokesperson expressed condolences for the loss, stating that their thoughts are with the girl’s family and all individuals impacted by her death.
The collision, which happened near Creech Heathfield close to Taunton, resulted in the girl dying at the scene. Fortunately, no other injuries were reported in connection with this tragic event.
In light of this incident and due to previous contact with law enforcement, Avon and Somerset Police made a mandatory referral to the IOPC.
Following the collision, both directions of the M5 were closed as authorities conducted inquiries and made necessary repairs to ensure safety on the motorway. National Highways confirmed that by 10:20 AM GMT on Tuesday, traffic resumed on the northbound carriageway between junctions 24 and 25, with southbound lanes reopening shortly thereafter.
However, significant delays ensued:
Southbound motorists faced delays of up to 90 minutes, with approximately seven miles of congestion reported.
Northbound travelers experienced delays of about 30 minutes with two miles of traffic slowdown.
Local roads have also seen increased congestion, particularly on the A38 around North Petherton and Bridgwater.
Authorities are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage that could assist in their investigation to come forward.
As recovery efforts continue, community discussions are underway regarding infrastructure improvements in light of recent incidents, including plans for replacing an unsafe footbridge nearby.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of road safety concerns and the need for ongoing evaluations of traffic management systems in high-traffic areas like the M5.
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