Teenager who got out of ambulance on M5 motorway died from ‘multiple injuries’, inquest hears

The deceased was Tasered by a police officer before being struck by a car

16:57, 08 Jan 2026Updated 16:59, 08 Jan 2026

An 18-year-old man who got out of an ambulance on a motorway[1] before being fatally hit by a car is believed to have died from multiple injuries, an inquest opening has heard.

Logan Smith from Weston-super-Mare was being transported to hospital in an ambulance at 11pm on November 30, 2025, when the vehicle had to pull over on the hard shoulder of the M5 northbound carriageway because of staff concerns.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said in a report published last month[2] that Mr Smith removed himself from the ambulance near the junction for Weston-super-Mare and entered the busy lanes of the motorway.

Paramedic staff called Avon and Somerset Police for assistance and a single-crewed officer arrived at the scene a short time later.

The officer attempted to engage with Mr Smith, before discharging their Taser. The effects from the electrical jolt caused the teenager to fall to the ground, the IOPC stated.

Mr Smith was then struck by a car travelling along the southbound carriageway and died from his injuries.

On Thursday afternoon, an inquest into Mr Smith's death was opened and adjourned at Avon Coroner's Court[3] by Dr Peter Harrowing, assistant coroner for Avon.

Coroner's officer Alexis Camp said Mr Smith's death was confirmed at the scene and he was later identified by a fingerprint expert at the mortuary.

"The circumstances are that the deceased is known to have died on November 30, 2025, when he was hit by a vehicle on the M5 motorway," Ms Camp said. "The circumstances leading to his death are under investigation."

Ms Camp said a statement from pathologist Dr Russell Delaney gave a provisional cause of death as multiple injuries, pending results of laboratory investigations. She confirmed that no date had been given for when the police or IOPC investigations would conclude.

Dr Harrowing listed Mr Smith's family, South Western Ambulance Service NHS[4] Foundation Trust, Avon and Somerset Police, the driver of the vehicle that struck Mr Smith and their insurer as interested persons in the inquest.

He said there would be a review of the case on March 30.

The IOPC previously said it was investigating the "actions and decisions" taken by the police, in the moments leading up to Mr Smith's death.

Avon and Somerset Police said the on-duty officer had attempted to bring Mr Smith to safety to reduce the risk to him and other members of the public.

Joanne Hall, assistant chief constable at Avon and Somerset Police, speaking at the time, said the force's thoughts were with Mr Smith's family.

"This incident has had a significant effect on our officers and ambulance crews who are understandably incredibly upset by what happened," she said.

"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."

References

1. ^ got out of an ambulance on a motorway (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
2. ^ report published last month (www.policeconduct.gov.uk)
3. ^ Avon Coroner's Court (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
4. ^ NHS (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)