A BOOK of condolence has been opened in Court Fields School, Wellington, following the death last week on the M5 motorway of former pupil Tamzin Hall.

Tamzin, aged 17, died when she was struck by a vehicle after leaving a police car which had stopped on the northbound hard shoulder of the motorway between Taunton and Bridgwater.

Court Fields headteacher Polly Matthews arranged for support to be available to any current pupils who were particularly affected by the tragedy, and deputy head Sarah Westwood was available this week for students to drop-in and talk with her.

Mrs Matthews said a book of condolence would be in the school’s Hub from Monday (November 18) to Wednesday ‘to enable staff and students to pass on their best wishes, thoughts, or prayers to Tamzin’s family’.

In a letter to parents, Mrs Matthews said: “Please do contact us if you have any concerns or would wish to access additional support for your child.”

She passed on to parents a statement from Avon and Somerset Constabulary saying the force’s thoughts and sympathies were with Tamzin’s family, who had asked for privacy during their difficult time.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has opened an investigation into the actions of police officers immediately before Tamzin’s death.

IOPC director David Ford said: “This was a truly tragic incident.

“Our investigation is at an early stage.

“We have initial accounts from officers involved and we are obtaining statements from several witnesses.

“The coroner has been informed, and a post-mortem was carried out.”