Inquest opens into death of autistic girl who exited police car

An inquest has opened into 17-year-old Tamzin Ellen Hall’s death after she left a moving Avon and Somerset Police car on the M5 on 11 November 2024. A jury inquest is provisionally set to begin on 11 January 2027 at Wells Town Hall.

An inquest has opened into the death of 17-year-old Tamzin Ellen Hall. Officials reported she left a moving Avon and Somerset Police car while being transported on the M5 on 11 November 2024 and was then struck by a vehicle. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating the circumstances and the contact two officers had with her. A pre-inquest hearing at Taunton Coroner's Court heard the full inquest will be heard by a jury. Known details: - Tamzin Ellen Hall, aged 17 and from Wellington, Somerset, was reported to have left a moving police car on the M5 on 11 November 2024 and was struck by a vehicle on the opposite carriageway. - The IOPC is conducting an investigation into her death and the contact two Avon and Somerset Police officers had with her prior to the incident. - Senior coroner Samantha Marsh has directed that the inquest be heard by a jury and set a provisional start date of 11 January 2027 at Wells Town Hall, with an expected duration of two to three weeks. - Family members, representatives for Avon and Somerset Police, and the driver involved attended the pre-inquest; a family representative emphasised the driver was not at fault. Summary: The inquest will examine the circumstances surrounding Tamzin Hall’s death and will be conducted with a jury. The IOPC investigation remains ongoing and the coroner has provisionally scheduled the main hearing to begin on 11 January 2027 at Wells Town Hall.