IOPC investigates police over M5 death near Weston

The man was being taken to hospital as a patient in the ambulance when it stopped to provide further treatment on the northbound carriageway, between junction 21 (Weston-super-Mare) and 20 (Clevedon). At 11.04pm, the ambulance service alerted Avon and Somerset Police that the patient had exited the stationary ambulance, and subsequently, that the patient was on the motorway. Avon and Somerset Police said in a statement: "An on-duty officer came across the incident and attempted to bring the man to safety to reduce the risk to him as well as to other members of the public.

"Sadly, shortly after this, the man was involved in a collision with a car being driven southbound, and he died at the scene despite the efforts of emergency services personnel. "His family have been updated and are being supported by a specially trained liaison officer." Following the incident, a mandatory referral was made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) by the professional standards department of the police.

An IOPC spokesperson said: "We have started an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a man who was struck by a vehicle on the M5, near Weston-Super-Mare on Sunday (30 November). "We were advised by Avon and Somerset Police that the 18-year-old was being transported to hospital by ambulance and got out of the vehicle, onto the motorway. "A patrol officer stopped to assist, but the man sadly died after being hit by a vehicle, driven by a member of the public.

"We sent our investigators to the police post incident procedure to begin gathering evidence. "Our sympathies are with the man's loved ones, and everyone affected by his death." Avon and Somerset Police assistant chief constable Joanne Hall said: "Our thoughts are with the man's family at such a devastating time.

We will support them in any way we can. "This incident has had a significant effect on our officers and ambulance crews who are understandably incredibly upset by what happened. "As well as providing support to the man's family, we are also making sure that the appropriate welfare arrangements are in place for our staff and also for those members of the public who were either directly involved or who witnessed the incident.

"A mandatory referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) by our Professional Standards Department. It's already begun an independent investigation into the circumstances, which we will fully cooperate with." The M5 was closed to allow emergency services to respond to the incident and to allow enquiries to take place at the scene.

It reopened Monday morning, December 1.

References

1. ^ 18-year-old man dies after collision on M5 between Clevedon and Weston-super-Mare (www.thewestonmercury.co.uk)