Police watchdog launches investigation after teenager dies after exiting ambulance on M5
The incident happened at around 11:04pm on Sunday night (November 30)
Last updated 1st Dec 2025
Police say an 18 year old man who died in a collision on the M5 had exited an ambulance taking him to hospital.
The Independent Office of Police Conduct have launched an investigation following the incident which happened at around 11:04pm on Sunday night (November 30).
Avon and Somerset Police say the ambulance had stopped on the northbound carriageway between junction 21 (Weston-super-Mare) and junction 20 (Clevedon) to provide further treatment on the way to hospital.
After exiting the ambulance, the patient was reported to be on the motorway and was involved in a collision with a car being driven southbound.
He died at the scene despite the efforts of emergency services personnel.
Police say an on duty officer came across the incident and had attempted to bring the man to safety to reduce the risk to him as well as to other members of the public.
The man's family are being supported by a specially trained liaison officer. Â
Assistant Chief Constable 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."
The Independent Office for Police Conduct have begun an independent investigation into the circumstances of the incident after a mandatory referral by Avon and Somerset Police's professional standards department.
The M5 was closed until this morning (December 1) to allow emergency services to respond to the incident and to carry out necessary investigations at the scene