IOPC to investigate teenager’s death after getting out of ambulance on M5

The Independent Office for Police Conduct has launched an investigation into the death of a teenager who got out of an ambulance on the M5 [1] before being struck by a passing vehicle.

The 18-year-old man was being taken to hospital on Sunday, November 30, when the vehicle stopped on the motorway to provide treatment.

The ambulance stopped on the northbound carriageway between Weston-super-Mare and Clevedon [2] at around 11.05pm and the young man stepped out onto the motorway. Advertisement Advertisement

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A police officer tried to bring the man to safety to reduce the risk of harm to him and other road users.

Shortly after this, he was struck by a passing car being driven southbound [3] by a member of the public. Despite the efforts of emergency services, he died at the scene, Avon and Somerset Police confirmed in a statement.

A spokesperson for the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has this morning confirmed it has received a referral from Avon and Somerset Police and has began an investigation into the circumstances of the man's death.

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An IOPC spokesperson said: "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, on to 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."

In a statement shared on Monday, 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. Advertisement

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"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."

References

^ the death of a teenager who got out of an ambulance on the M5 (uk.news.yahoo.com)
^ ambulance stopped on the northbound carriageway between Weston-super-Mare and Clevedon (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
^ he was struck by a passing car being driven southbound (www.somersetlive.co.uk)