Inquest date set for Somerset teenager killed on M5

A pre-inquest hearing was held at Taunton Coroner's Court, on Corporation Street, on January 7, 2026, where a provisional date for the jury inquest was set for a year's time, on January 11, 2027, at Wells Town Hall. The inquest is expected to last between two and three weeks. Tamzin Ellen Hall, from Henlade, Somerset, sustained fatal injuries when she was struck by a car on the M5 between junction 25 at Taunton and 24 at Bridgwater shortly after 11pm on November 11 2024.

Paramedics attended the motorway within minutes, pronouncing Tamzin dead at the scene. The student, who had autism spectrum disorder, had been under arrest and was travelling in an Avon and Somerset Police car, which had stopped on the motorway. An inquest opening at Wells Town Hall previously heard that Tamzin exited the car and crossed the road before climbing the crash barrier.

She was hit by a vehicle driven by a member of the public travelling on the southbound carriageway and sustained fatal head, neck and chest injuries. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating her death, including the contact that two Avon and Somerset Police officers had with Tamzin before she died. A report published by the watchdog detailed how the teenager was able to remove her handcuffs and climb from the rear passenger side seat to the front passenger seat of the police car.

In attendance at the pre-inquest held on January 7, was Tamzin's mother Amy Hall, and Tamzin's brother, along with the family's barrister Ciara Bartlam, a family liaison officer from Avon and Somerset Police, a representative of the Avon and Somerset Police Constabulary, a representative from the IOPC (Independent Office of Police Conduct), a representative from the Somerset Council, and the driver of the vehicle. A representative for the Hall family said they were "keen to emphasise" that the driver involved was "not at fault at all" for Tamzin's death. Samantha Marsh, senior coroner in Somerset, said: "We are sadly here this morning on January 7 to hear the pre-inquest review of Tamzin Ellen Hall.

"On a human level, I wanted to say how very sorry I am that we are here."

In the pre-inquest hearing, coroner Samantha Marsh announced the next pre-inquest hearing would take place the week of July 27, 2026, most likely Tuesday, July 28, at 10am at Wells Town Hall.

References

1. ^ Mother of Taunton teen who died in M5 collision pays tribute (www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk)
2. ^ Inquest opened into death of 17-year-old girl who died in M5 collision (www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk)