Mother pays tribute to 'beautiful' girl, 17, killed on M5 after fleeing from police car

26 November 2024, 15:35

Mother pays tribute to 'beautiful' girl, 17, killed on M5 after fleeing from police car
Mother pays tribute to 'beautiful' girl, 17, killed on M5 after fleeing from police car. Picture: Alamy

By Danielle de Wolfe

A mother has paid tribute to her "beautiful" daughter after the 17-year-old was killed on M5 after fleeing from the back seat of a police car.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Tamzin Hall, 17, from Wellington, died after exiting the police vehicle on a stretch of the busy motorway in Somerset at around 11pm on Monday, November 11.

The teenager was being taken into police custody by two officers following her arrest when the accident happened, with the police car stopping suddenly on the northbound stretch of the M5.

The teenager is said to have seized the opportunity to escape, climbing over the carriageway's crash barriers between junctions 24 and 25 for Taunton before stepping out into oncoming traffic.

The inquest, taking place at Wells Town Hall, saw Tamzin's mother describe the teenager as "the most kindest, caring, loving, loyal girl ever".

Only freight traffic on the M5 near Taunton during the Coronavirus lockdown UK
Only freight traffic on the M5 near Taunton during the Coronavirus lockdown UK. Picture: Alamy

Describing her eldest daughter as her "best friend", her mother added that the death had left their family "devastated".

The mother added that Tamzin, who was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, was "taken far too young".

Avon and Somerset Police confirmed the teenager's death shortly after the incident and are now facing an investigation by police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

At an inquest into her death on Tuesday, Tamzin's mother added: "Tamzin was the most kindest, caring, loving, loyal girl ever," she said.

Read more: Teen girl killed in M5 crash fled police car onto motorway before being hit by oncoming traffic

Read more: ‘I had no idea my suitcases were full of £15 million worth of cocaine’, claims Brit facing 60 years behind bars

"She was the most honest person I’ve ever known; she was very special to me.

"She was my shadow from the moment she opened her eyes in the morning until she went to sleep at night.

"She was such an intelligent young girl and had such interesting perceptions on things in life."

She added: "Tamzin was my absolute everything and I can’t believe she isn’t here anymore. She was my world."

Coroner's officer Ben Batley told the hearing: "Tamzin was pronounced dead at 23:10 GMT and identified by fingerprint comparison.

"Her injuries were not survivable and Tamzin was declared deceased where she was found on the motorway."

Police car from Sussex Police on a road in West Sussex, England, UK.
Police car from Sussex Police on a road in West Sussex, England, UK. Picture: Alamy

Following the incident on November 11, an IOPC spokesperson said: "We have started an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a 17-year-old girl who was struck by a vehicle on the M5 near Taunton last night."

"Our thoughts and sympathies go out to Tamzin’s family for their devastating loss," Avon and Somerset police said following the tragic incident.

Mr Batley said a post-mortem examination gave a provisional cause of death as head, neck and chest injuries pending further investigations.

Senior coroner Samantha Marsh said: "On the basis of the information provided to me, I believe I should open an inquest into the death of Tamzin Ellen Hall."

She adjourned the case until a pre-inquest review hearing on 5 November next year.

The coroner labelled it the earliest available date due to the complexity of the case.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Breaking
Breaking News

US warns it will 'move on' from Ukraine peace talks if progress isn't made in coming days as minerals deal edges closer

Energy bills could rise once again.

Brits could face £100 more in household bills if UK signs up to EU Net Zero scheme, Tories claim

woman in military uniform holding happy daughter at home

Military families set for housing boost as Defence Sec pledges to ‘stop the rot’

Actor Haley Joel Osment attends the 2025 PaleyFest LA - "Poker Face" event at the Dolby Theatre on March 29, 2025 in Hollywood, California.

Oscar-nominated ‘Sixth Sense’ actor Haley Joel Osment charged with public intoxication and cocaine possession

Commuters walk along a packed platform after a single train arrived during the morning rush hour, at Waterloo Station in London on April 8, 2024.

Millions set to face heavy disruption in Easter travel plans due to engineering works, strikes, traffic and flooding

Luigi Mangione, the suspect indicted in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson arriving at the South Street Helipad in New York City on December 19, 2024.

Luigi Mangione indicted on federal murder charge over CEO killing as US pushes for death penalty

Firefighters are battling a major blaze at a historic First World War airfield - as residents were warned to stay indoors due to fears over asbestos in the smoke.

Firefighters battle huge blaze at historic WWI airfield as residents warned of asbestos in smoke

Far fewer women today would prefer to switch gender than they once did, according to a study.

Fewer women would prefer to switch gender than they once did, study shows

More than four in five (81%) teachers feel the number of pupils exhibiting violent and abusive behaviours has increased, according to a poll by the NASUWT teaching union.

Teachers are being punched, kicked, shoved or spat at by pupils

Harry Maguire secured one of the most jaw-dropping European wins.

Harry Maguire seals Europa League semi-final spot for Manchester United after thrilling comeback

David Lammy has said Russia must agree to an “immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire” after meeting counterparts from the US and Europe.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy says Russia must accept ‘unconditional ceasefire’ after US-Europe talks

One batch of the medicine Lercanidipine, made by Recordati Pharmaceuticals, is labelled as containing 10mg tablets when it in fact contains 20mg.

Patients on common blood pressure drug urged to check pack amid labelling error

"It is a weekend where I want to perform, I want to do well," Norris said.

Lando Norris planning to try new things to get ‘comfortable’ with his McLaren

Beatles fan mail to be showcased in new exhibit featuring dozens of letters sent to Ringo Starr's home

Beatles fan mail to be showcased in new exhibit featuring dozens of letters sent to Ringo Starr's home

The Prison Service will investigate whether frontline staff should be given protective body armour.

Prisons service reviews protective gear for guards after Manchester bomb plotter attack

A woman who helped her husband die has said she has "no regrets" despite facing a police investigation.

Woman who took her husband to Switzerland for an assisted suicide says she has 'no regrets'