A girl who died in a crash on the M5 late last night (Monday, November 11) had been detained by police. The collision, which involved a car and a pedestrian, took place between Taunton and Bridgwater at around 11pm.
Emergency services were called but a girl, 17, was tragically pronounced dead. Avon and Somerset Police made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct due to prior police contact.
According to the BBC, the girl had been detained by police officers before she died. The motorway was shut in both directions as initial investigation work took place.
The northbound carriageway has since reopened between junctions 24 and 25. Motorists have been warned of heavy traffic on the motorway and circulating roads, including the A38 near Bridgwater.
A police spokesperson said: “The M5 is closed in both directions between junctions 24 (Bridgwater) and 25 (Taunton) following a fatal collision. The collision, involving a pedestrian and a car, happened at about 11pm yesterday (11 November) and sadly the pedestrian, a 17-year-old girl, died at the scene.
“Her next of kin have been informed and are being supported by a specially trained officer. Our thoughts are with them. No one else was injured in the collision.
“The M5 is expected to remain closed for some time while enquiries are carried out. A mandatory referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct due to recent prior police contact.
“If you witnessed the collision or have any dashcam footage which could help our investigation, please call 101 and give the call handler the reference of log number 1170 of 11 November.”
For all of the latest updates from the M5 crash and closure, follow our live blog here.