Teen dies after getting out of ambulance on M5

A teenager who died after being hit by a car on a motorway had got out of an ambulance shortly before the crash, police say.

The 18-year-old man died on the M5 in North Somerset shortly after 23:00 GMT on Sunday.

The ambulance had stopped for treatment to be provided to the patient before he left the vehicle, Avon and Somerset Police said. He was subsequently hit by a car and died at the scene.

"Our thoughts are with the man's family at such a devastating time. We will support them in any way we can," said Assistant Chief Constable Joanne Hall.

An on-duty officer came across the incident on the northbound carriageway between Weston-super-Mare and Clevedon. The officer tried to get the patient to safety, but the teen was then hit by a car on the southbound carriageway.

"This incident has had a significant effect on our officers and ambulance crews who are understandably incredibly upset by what happened," Ms Hall 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."

The police said a mandatory referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct by the force's professional standards department.

The South Western Ambulance Service have been contacted for comment.