Seventeen-year-old Tamzin Hall’s story has left a family broken and raised painful questions about how authorities handled her care.
Her mother, Amy Hall, believes her daughter was “failed” by the very systems meant to protect her after the teenager died in devastating circumstances on the M5 motorway.
The Night Everything Changed
On November 11 last year, Tamzin had been arrested for assault and criminal damage.
Two police officers were driving her to custody in a patrol car when the unimaginable happened.
Despite being handcuffed in the back seat, Tamzin somehow managed to free herself.
She moved to the front passenger seat, opened the door, and got out of the moving car.
Within moments, she crossed the motorway, climbed over a barrier, and was struck by a vehicle traveling on the southbound side.
It was just after 11 p.m. when the collision happened, and Tamzin was pronounced dead minutes later from fatal head, chest, and neck injuries.
A Mother’s Anguish
For Amy Hall, no words can capture the shock and heartbreak.
She questioned why her daughter was placed in a car at all, given her high-risk behavior, and why the handcuffs did not keep her secure.
“My question is – how did she manage to get out of the handcuffs and out of the car with two police officers there?” she asked.
Amy described her daughter as bright, funny, and unique, though she struggled with autism and mental health issues.
“She never got the right help, she never got listened to,” Amy told the BBC.
Remembering Tamzin
Behind the headlines was a teenager who loved life’s little joys.
Tamzin enjoyed cooking, had a special love for birds, and was known for her humor and loyalty.
Her mother described her as “the kindest, most caring and honest person,” someone who gave her all to everything she did.
She loved her family deeply, cherished conversations, and was “absolutely chocolate mad.”
“She was my world,” Amy said, recalling how Tamzin was always by her side from morning to night.
“I will never get over it. She was taken far too young.”
The Investigation Underway
Avon and Somerset Police quickly referred the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which is still investigating.
The focus is on the officers’ actions that night, including their decision-making, risk assessments, and whether they followed proper training and policy.
An IOPC report later confirmed that Tamzin had been sitting in the back seat with her hands cuffed in front, and an officer was seated next to her during transport.
Yet somehow, she removed the cuffs, climbed into the front seat, opened the door, and escaped.
A Report That Raised More Concerns
The IOPC’s annual review of deaths following police contact revealed more detail about what happened.
Without naming Tamzin, the report outlined how she exited the car and ran across the motorway before being struck.
The police had stopped the vehicle for “safety reasons” shortly before the tragedy.
Holding On to Memories
For Amy, the pain is unbearable but the memories of Tamzin’s spirit bring strength.
She remembers her as an intelligent young girl who had a unique perspective on the world, someone who loved helping others and giving her best in everything she did.
Though only 17, Tamzin left behind lessons of love, thoughtfulness, and resilience that her mother says she will carry forward for the sake of her other children.
“She was such a wonderful daughter, a beautiful person. My life will never be the same, but I will hold on to what she gave me,” Amy said.