A MANDATORY referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) following the death of a teenage girl on the M5.

Avon and Somerset Police has confirmed the 17-year-old was being transported in a police vehicle shortly before the fatal collision.

The officers stopped the vehicle while heading northbound between junctions 25, for Taunton, and 24, for Bridgwater.

The girl exited the stationary police vehicle and she was subsequently tragically involved in a collision on the southbound carriageway involving another vehicle, shortly after 11pm.

The ambulance service was called and attended within a few minutes. The girl was sadly pronounced deceased at the scene.

Detective Chief Superintendent Rachel Shields said: “Our thoughts are first and foremost with the girl’s family.

“Overnight we have updated her next of kin regarding what has happened and we will ensure they are supported by specially-trained officers at what is an incredibly difficult time following the tragic loss of such a young life.”

The M5 was closed to enable emergency services to respond and investigative enquiries to be carried out. It has now been fully reopened.

The police is grateful for the public’s patience while we have been responding to this incident.

Det Ch Supt Shields continued: “We believe it is important that we are as transparent as possible at this early stage about the tragic circumstances.

“A critical incident was declared and our Professional Standards Department notified overnight. A mandatory referral has been made to the IOPC.

“The IOPC has decided to take on the investigation independently, and we welcome the oversight it will give.

“We recognise this incident has had a significant effect on the devastated officers, plus members of the public, who witnessed what happened, as well as other officers and staff involved in our response. We will ensure staff are able to access any welfare support they may benefit from following this tragedy.”

An IOPC spokesperson said: “We have started an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a 17-year-old girl who was struck by a vehicle on the M5 near Taunton last night.

“We were advised by Avon and Somerset police that the girl was being transported to custody in a police vehicle and had got out of the vehicle shortly before the collision.

“We sent our investigators to the police post incident procedure to begin gathering evidence. Our sympathies are with the girl’s loved ones and everyone affected by her death.”

Police have confirmed nobody else was injured in the collision and said “out thoughts are with” the family in an initial statement issued to the press.

Delays of around 60 minutes remained due to six miles of tailbacks following the closure, which was in place for around 12 hours.

At the peak of the congestion on the northbound carriageway there was an estimated 90 minutes of delays and eight mile queues.

Anybody who witnessed the collision or may have any dashcam footage which could help the Avon and Somerset Police investigation is asked to call 101 with log number 1170 of 11 November.