Girl, 17, killed whereas ‘strolling on motorway’ had been detained by police moments earlier than

A 17-year-old girl who was killed after ‘walking on a motorway’ had been detained by police just moments before, according to reports. The heartbreaking incident happened on the M5 between junctions 24 for Bridgwater and 25 for Taunton, both in Somerset at around 11pm on Monday night.

The girl was struck down by a car and died at the scene of the collision on the motorway, reports said. According to the BBC, she had been detained by officers before she died. Avon & Somerset Police have made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, the Mirror reports.

The incident led to both directions of the south-western motorway being shut down between. Police cordoned off the area while they carried out their initial investigation of the crash site.

The road is still closed this morning, with Travel Somerset posting on X: “Major traffic build-up around #M5 corridor this morning due to M5 being closed both ways. Please plan ahead, expect significant congestion. We’re not expecting the M5 to reopen until lunchtime.”

Shortly after the crash, National Highways south-west said: “Traffic caught within the closure of the #M5 north between J25 (#Taunton) and J24 (#Bridgwater) is being turned around from the back of the queue. Correction to our previous update, south traffic is not being turned yet. But will in due course. Thanks for your patience.”

Avon and Somerset Police said the victim’s next of kin have been notified and are being supported by a specially-trained officer. No one else was injured in the incident.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or has dashcam footage is urged to call 101 and give the call handler the reference of log number 1170 of 11 November.

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