Teenager Dies After Being Struck by Vehicle on M5 Motorway Following Ambulance Exit
NORTH SOMERSET, England – An 18-year-old man died Sunday night after exiting an ambulance on the M5 motorway and being hit by a car, according to Avon and Somerset Police. The incident occurred on the northbound carriageway between junctions 21 (Weston-super-Mare) and 20 (Clevedon).
Police were alerted by the ambulance service shortly after 11 p.m. that the patient was outside the vehicle while receiving treatment en route to hospital. He was subsequently struck by a car and pronounced dead at the scene.
The M5 was closed for several hours as emergency services responded and an inquiry commenced, reopening Monday morning.
“Our thoughts are with the man’s family at such a devastating time. We will support them in any way we can,” said assistant Chief Constable joanne Hall in a statement. “This incident has had a significant effect on our officers and ambulance crews who are understandably incredibly upset by what happened.”
The force has voluntarily referred the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for review. Police are providing support to the man’s family and offering welfare arrangements for involved officers, ambulance crews, and witnesses.
Jane Whichello from South Western Ambulance Service stated,”We would like to offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the man involved in this incredibly sad incident.Alongside police colleagues, our crews put their own safety at risk to help the patient and reduce the risk of harm to passing motorists, and I would like to thank them for their efforts.”
