A coroner has heard how an 18-year-old man died from multiple injuries after being tasered by police and then hit by a car on the M5 motorway in Somerset.
Sequence of Events on the M5
The tragic incident unfolded on November 30, at around 11pm. Logan Smith, from Weston-super-Mare, was being transported to hospital in an ambulance when, due to concerns of the staff on board, the vehicle pulled over onto the hard shoulder of the M5's northbound carriageway.
According to a report from the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), ambulance staff called Avon and Somerset Police for assistance. A single-crewed police vehicle arrived at the scene shortly afterwards.
Logan subsequently left the emergency vehicle and entered the live lanes of the motorway. The IOPC stated that body-worn video footage shows an officer attempted to engage with him before discharging a Taser, causing Logan to fall to the ground.
Soon afterwards, he was struck by a car travelling along the southbound carriageway, just north of Junction 21 near Weston-super-Mare. Despite emergency first aid, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Inquest Opening and Investigations
At the opening of the inquest at Avon Coroner's Court, Coroner's Officer Alexis Camp confirmed Logan's identity and that his family was not present. The hearing was told a pathologist's statement gave a provisional cause of death as multiple injuries, pending further laboratory results.
HM Area Coroner Dr Peter Harrowing said the circumstances leading to Logan's death are under investigation. The full inquest, which will investigate the exact cause of death, is scheduled to resume on March 30.
The IOPC has launched an independent investigation into the 'actions and decisions' taken by police prior to Logan's death, including the use of the Taser. IOPC Director Derrick Campbell expressed sympathies to Logan's family and friends, confirming that investigators have begun gathering evidence and have taken initial accounts from the officer and ambulance staff involved.
Statements from Authorities
Following the incident, Avon and Somerset Police stated the on-duty officer had attempted to bring Logan to safety to reduce risk to him and the public. Assistant Chief Constable Joanne Hall said the force's thoughts were with Logan's family and that welfare support was being provided to all affected staff and witnesses.
The IOPC has met with Logan's family to explain its role and provide details of the investigation. A spokesman for the watchdog reiterated its commitment to an independent inquiry and asked for the family's privacy to be respected.
