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.
The force said an on-duty officer came across the incident on the northbound carriageway between Weston-super-Mare and Clevedon. They 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 force said a mandatory referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct by its professional standards department.
Jane Whichello from South Western Ambulance Service said: “We would like to offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the man involved in this incredibly sad incident.
“Alongside police colleagues, our crews put their own safety at risk 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 are also with the driver of the vehicle involved in the collision.”
