Teenager killed after getting out of ambulance on M5

He crossed carriageway before being hit by car

A teenager has died after being hit by a vehicle on the motorway after he got out of an ambulance on the hard shoulder.

The 18-year-old  patient was being treated at the side of the northbound carriageway of the M5 on Sunday night when he crossed the motorway and was in a collision with a car being driven towards junction 21 for Weston Super Mare.

An off-duty police officer who came across the incident had tried to bring him back to safety.

The man’s next of kin are being supported, as are emergency service workers. who are said to be incredibly upset by what they witnessed.

Avon and Somerset Police has referred itself to the independent investigator, which is mandatory for these kind of situations.

The M5 was closed in both directions throughout the night, and the northbound carriageway for most of Monday morning.

Assistant chief constable for Avon and Somerset 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. 

“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.”