A teenager who died after being hit by a car on a motorway had exited an ambulance shortly before the crash, police say.
The 18-year-old died on the M5 in North Somerset shortly after 23:00 GMT on Sunday.
Avon and Somerset Police said the ambulance stopped to provide medical treatment to the patient before leaving the vehicle. He was later hit by a car and died at the scene.
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.”
An on-duty officer discovered the incident on the northbound carriageway between Weston-super-Mare and Clevedon. The officer tried to get the patient to safety, but the teenager was hit by a car on the southbound carriageway.
“This incident has had a significant impact on our officers and ambulance staff, who are deeply distressed by what happened,” Ms Hall said.
“As well as providing support to the individual’s family, we are also ensuring that appropriate welfare arrangements are in place for our staff and members of the public who were either directly involved or witnessed the incident.”
Police said a mandatory referral has been made by the force’s professional standards department to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
Jane Whichelo, of South Western Ambulance Service, said: “We would like to express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the man involved in this incredibly tragic incident.
“Alongside police colleagues, our staff risked their own safety to help the patient and reduce the risk of harm to passing motorists, and I would like to thank them for their efforts.
“Our thoughts also go out to the driver of the vehicle involved in the collision.”
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