Teen escapes police car in handcuffs, killed

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Two police officers have been served with misconduct notices after a teenager with autism escaped from a police car and died on the M5.

Tamzin Hall, a 17-year-old from Wellington, Somerset, was being taken into custody when officers pulled over on the hard shoulder for "safety reasons" shortly before 11pm on 11 November, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said.

She had been handcuffed with her hands in front of her and an officer was sitting beside her, the IOPC added.

As the car pulled over on the northbound carriageway of the motorway the teenager managed to get out and was hit by a car, sustaining fatal injuries.

Tamzin was being taken to a custody suite at Bridgwater after being arrested following a disturbance at an address in Taunton at around 10.40pm that day.

In a statement, the IOPC said the two officers from Avon and Somerset Police had been served misconduct notices for a "potential breach of their duties and responsibilities".

Such notices advise officers their conduct is subject to an investigation, but do not necessarily mean any disciplinary proceedings will follow.

IOPC regional director David Ford said: "My thoughts and sympathies remain with Tamzin's family and friends, and everyone affected by the tragic events of that evening.

"We have met with Tamzin's family to offer our condolences and to outline how our investigation will progress. We will provide them with regular updates as our inquiries continue”.

The IOPC began its investigation earlier this month and is looking into what contact the police had with Tamzin prior to her death, including their actions, decision-making and risk assessments of the situation, and whether these followed the relevant training and policies.