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M27 fall girl reported sex attack | M27 fall girl reported sex attack |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A Hampshire teenager, who fell to her death from a motorway bridge, had reported to police she was the victim of a sexual assault days earlier. | A Hampshire teenager, who fell to her death from a motorway bridge, had reported to police she was the victim of a sexual assault days earlier. |
The family of Sara Clark, 18, believe a delay in a police follow-up call over the allegation led her to jump from a bridge over the M27 on Saturday. | The family of Sara Clark, 18, believe a delay in a police follow-up call over the allegation led her to jump from a bridge over the M27 on Saturday. |
After reporting an attack, Miss Clark was interviewed by police who said "her allegations were taken seriously". | |
The matter is now with the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPPC). | |
Miss Clark's mother Amanda Clark, 44, said she spent several hours with her daughter on Wednesday after police called to say she had reported a sexual assault. | Miss Clark's mother Amanda Clark, 44, said she spent several hours with her daughter on Wednesday after police called to say she had reported a sexual assault. |
We can confirm an allegation of sexual assault was reported on 30 May Det Insp Kath Barnes | We can confirm an allegation of sexual assault was reported on 30 May Det Insp Kath Barnes |
"They [the police] said they were going to call her on Thursday and Friday," said Mrs Clark. | "They [the police] said they were going to call her on Thursday and Friday," said Mrs Clark. |
"She was so depressed as she thought no-one cared or they did not believe her. | "She was so depressed as she thought no-one cared or they did not believe her. |
"Come Friday evening and still no-one [had called], she was really, really upset about it. She could not cope. | "Come Friday evening and still no-one [had called], she was really, really upset about it. She could not cope. |
"If they [the police] were there for her, if a phone call to say they were investigating she would still be here today." | "If they [the police] were there for her, if a phone call to say they were investigating she would still be here today." |
Amanda Clark said her daughter was worried 'no-one believed her' | Amanda Clark said her daughter was worried 'no-one believed her' |
Sara's body was discovered by a lorry driver in the early hours of Saturday on the westbound carriageway of the M27 near Southampton. | Sara's body was discovered by a lorry driver in the early hours of Saturday on the westbound carriageway of the M27 near Southampton. |
Miss Clark's sister Sabrina, 24, said: "She was looking for support to make sure people believed her - she did not feel she was believed. | |
"She said she was waiting for a visit from police." | "She said she was waiting for a visit from police." |
Miss Clark was interviewed at Totton police station when she reported the attack. | |
She was then taken to a sexual assault referral centre for medical tests and more interviews. | |
She had further blood tests at hospital in Southampton before two detectives interviewed her alone at home on Wednesday afternoon. | She had further blood tests at hospital in Southampton before two detectives interviewed her alone at home on Wednesday afternoon. |
Miss Clark's body was found near junction two of the M27 on Saturday | Miss Clark's body was found near junction two of the M27 on Saturday |
A statement from Hampshire Constabulary read: "We can confirm that she made an allegation of sexual assault to us in the early hours of Wednesday May 30 and patrol officers were deployed to the scene immediately. | |
"They arrived within a few minutes of her call, and the location was cordoned off and subjected to forensic examination and search. | |
"Specialist investigators were called out and a full investigation commenced, including taking her to Hampshire's Sexual Assault Referral Centre where she was spoken with, and supported by a sexual offences interview trained officer." | |
Police said inquiries had continued since then into the incident. | |
A post-mortem examination by a Home Office pathologist revealed Sara died from head injuries. | |
The Totton Road Deaths Investigation Unit is appealing to drivers who travelled on the westbound section of the M27 between 0330 and 0430 BST on Saturday to contact them. |
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