Girl, 17, killed after being hit on M5 had just got out of cop car & was being taken into police custody
A TEENAGE girl who was killed after being hit on the M5 had fled a police car moments before the crash.
The 17-year-old was tragically pronounced dead at the scene in Somerset at around 11pm last night.
No one else was injured in the horror smash.
Now it has emerged the teen was being transported to custody by an Avon and Somerset Police vehicle, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said.
The force confirmed the cop car had stopped on the northbound carriageway between junctions 25 and 24.
The girl was tragically struck by a car on the southbound carriageway after getting out of the police vehicle.
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A mandatory referral was made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, the police watchdog.
Did you see what happened? Contact: [email protected]
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.
"We were advised by Avon and Somerset Police that the girl was being transported to custody in a police vehicle and had got out of the vehicle shortly before the collision.
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"We sent our investigators to the police post incident procedure to begin gathering evidence.
"Our sympathies are with the girl's loved ones and everyone affected by her death."
The motorway is closed in both directions between junctions 24 and 25.
The force confirmed the closure is expected to remain in place "for some time" while investigations continue.
A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: "The M5 is closed in both directions between junctions 24 (Bridgwater) and 25 (Taunton) following a fatal collision.
"The collision, involving a pedestrian and a car, happened at about 11pm yesterday (11 November) and sadly the pedestrian, a 17-year-old girl, died at the scene.
"Her next of kin have been informed and are being supported by a specially trained officer. Our thoughts are with them.
"No one else was injured in the collision. The M5 is expected to remain closed for some time while enquiries are carried out.
"A mandatory referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct due to recent prior police contact.
"If you witnessed the collision or have any dashcam footage which could help our investigation, please call 101 and give the call handler the reference of log number 1170 of 11 November."
Diversion routes are now in place on the M5 to keep traffic moving.
A National Highways spokesperson said: "Please be reminded that the #M5 in #Somerset remains closed both ways between J24 ( #Bridgwater ) & J25 ( #Taunton ) due to a Police led incident.
"Due to the nature of the incident, the road will be closed throughout the morning."
Traffic monitor Inrix added: "M5 in both directions closed due to accident investigation work between J24 A38 Taunton Road (Bridgwater South) and J25 A358 (Taunton).
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"After a serious accident at 23:00 last night. Diversion - via the A38.
"Follow Solid Diamond signs southbound, Solid Circle northbound."
