A man in his 40s has died after being struck by vehicles on the M4 motorway near Bristol, shortly after being arrested following a sting operation by a self-styled “paedophile hunter” group.
Emergency services were called to the scene at around 6:40pm on Saturday, 22 February, after reports that a man had fallen from a bridge over the M4 between junctions 20 (Almondsbury) and 21 (Awkley) and was subsequently struck by oncoming traffic.
The man had been confronted by an amateur “child protection team” over allegations that he had been communicating online with someone he believed to be a 14-year-old girl. He was arrested by Avon and Somerset Police but later released under investigation without being charged.
The man’s death is being treated as non-suspicious, and his next of kin have been informed. Avon and Somerset Police expressed their condolences, stating: “Our thoughts and sympathies remain with the man’s family during this difficult time. We are grateful to members of the public who have come forward with information following this tragic incident.”
Given the police’s prior contact with the man, a mandatory referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which will assess whether a formal investigation is necessary.
In a statement issued on Monday (24 February), Avon and Somerset Police urged the public to avoid speculation about the incident: “We understand this may be distressing for many people and urge anyone affected to seek support through their GP or organisations such as MIND and Samaritans. We ask that people respect the family’s privacy during this time.”
The incident led to significant traffic disruption, with road closures on the M4 causing delays for several hours. Police have since thanked motorists for their patience and understanding while emergency services dealt with the aftermath.
This incident has sparked renewed discussions around the activities of amateur “paedophile hunter” groups and their potential consequences. While some argue that these groups help expose child predators, law enforcement officials have consistently warned against such actions, citing safety risks and the potential to hinder official investigations.
