An ambulance taking 18-year-old Logan Smith to hospital had to pull over onto the hard shoulder of the M5 near Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, but tragedy soon followed
A teenager died from multiple injuries after being tasered by police and then hit by a car on a motorway, an inquest opening has heard.
Logan Smith, 18, was being taken to hospital when the ambulance had to pull over onto the hard shoulder of a motorway. Logan from Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, left the emergency vehicle and entered the live lanes of the M5.
A previous report from the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) revealed ambulance staff called Avon and Somerset Police for assistance and a single-crewed vehicle arrived at the scene a short time later.
Logan was then tasered and hit by a car on the motorway near the junction with Weston-super-Mare before being pronounced dead at the scene.
During the inquest opening at Avon Coroner’s Court yesterday, Coroner’s Officer Alexis Camp stated that Logan was unemployed, single and was born in July 2007 in Bristol.
The pre-inquest heard that his death took place on November 30 at around 11pm after he was hit by a single vehicle just north of Junction 21 of the M5.
Ms Camp said Logan’s death was confirmed at the scene and he was later identified by a fingerprint expert at Flax Bourton mortuary. Logan’s family was not present at the inquest hearing. The coroner said the circumstances leading to his death are “under investigation”.
The vehicle had to pull over on the hard shoulder of the M5 northbound carriageway due to the concerns of staff on board, according to the previous report from Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Ms Camp said a statement from pathologist gave a provisional cause of death as multiple injuries – pending for results of laboratory investigations.
No date was given for when the IOPC or police investigations would conclude. Dr Peter Harrowing, HM Area Coroner, said the inquest will investigate the exact cause of Logan’s death, with the next hearing set for March 30.
A spokesman for the IOPC said it was now investigating the ‘actions and decisions’ taken by the police, prior to Logan’s death.
“Body-worn video footage we have viewed shows the officer attempted to engage with Logan and a short time later discharged their Taser, causing Logan to fall to the ground,” he said.
“Soon afterwards, he was struck by a car travelling along the southbound carriageway. Despite being given emergency first aid, Logan sadly died at the scene.”
Following Logan’s death, Avon and Somerset Police said the on-duty officer had attempted to bring him to safety to reduce the risk to him and other members of the public.
Derrick Campbell, director of the IOPC, said: “My thoughts and sympathies are with Logan’s family and friends and everyone affected by this shocking and tragic incident.
“We want to reassure everyone that we will independently investigate all the circumstances surrounding this incident, including the use of a Taser.”
Mr Campbell confirmed that IOPC investigators had begun gathering evidence, with initial accounts taken from the officer and ambulance staff involved.
“We have taken initial accounts from the officer and ambulance staff involved,” he added.
“We met with Logan’s family, to give our condolences, explain our role and to provide some further detail about our investigation, including a Taser being discharged during the incident. We will continue to keep them updated and they request that their privacy be respected at such a difficult time.”
The IOPC said the coroner had been informed of Mr Smith’s death, with formal identification and a post-mortem examination having taken place.
Joanne Hall, assistant chief constable at Avon and Somerset Police, previously said the force’s thoughts were with Mr Smith’s family ‘at such a devastating time’.
“This incident has had a significant effect on our officers and ambulance crews who are understandably incredibly upset by what happened,” she said.
“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.”
