Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2014

Dr Edward Slaney

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2014-0030, written 10 Jan 2014. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report10 Jan 2014
Reference2014-0030
DeceasedDr Edward Slaney
CoronerMelanie Williamson
Coroner areaWest Yorkshire (East)
CategoryOther related deaths
Sourcejudiciary.uk record · original PDF
Responses publishednone published

The report

Text recovered by OCR from a scanned PDF. OCR is imperfect: check anything you rely on against the source PDF. Reproduced verbatim, including the scan's own layout.

ANNEX A

REGULATION 28: REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS (1)

NOTE: This form is to be used after an inquest.

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS
THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO:

1. The Rt Hon Eric Pickies MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local
Government, Eland House, Bressenden Place, London, SW1E 5DU

1 | CORONER

lam Melanie Jane Williamson, Assistant Coroner, for the coroner area of West
Yorkshire (Eastern)

2 | CORONER’S LEGAL POWERS

| make this report under paragraph 7, Schedule 5, of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009
and regulations 28 and 29 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013.

3 | INVESTIGATION and INQUEST

On the 18" March 2011 an Investigation was commenced into the death of Dr Edward
James Slaney, then aged 35 years (“the Deceased”). The Investigation concluded at the
end of the Inquest on the 3 December 2013. The conclusion of the Inquest was a
Narrative Conclusion, namely:-

“At approximately 2pm on the 10" March 2011 the Deceased was in the process of
crossing Neville Street in Leeds when an approaching 2006 DAF LF curtain sided
medium goods vehicle registration numbelEEEEEEEMEwas overturned on to its
offside as a result of prevailing high wind speeds, which wind speeds were caused
by the building situate at and known as Bridgewater Place in Leeds. The
Deceased became trapped under the said medium goods vehicle and sustained
fatal injuries from which he passed away. The Deceased’s death was certified at
2.35pm on the 10" March 2011 at The General Infirmary at Leeds.”

4 | CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH

On the 10" March 2011, just before 2pm, the Deceased was crossing Neville Street in
Leeds towards Water Lane when a medium sized goods vehicle was travelling along
Victoria Road in the direction of Neville Street. On that day the winds were strong but
were not exceptional. As the vehicle entered the entrance to Water Lane, the wind hit
the side of the vehicle and took it in the direction of the Deceased. The vehicle came to
rest on its offside trapping the Deceased underneath. The Deceased sustained fatal
chest injuries from which he died; his death being certified at 2.35pm on the same day at
The General Infirmary, Leeds. The vehicle blew over due to high wind gusts prevailing
around the building known as Bridgewater Place, which building is situate at the junction
of Water Lane and Victoria Road in Leeds. This is a busy location for all highway users.
The wind speeds were generated and accelerated by the building. In November 2001,
planning permission was granted for the erection of the building subject to conditions. In
April 2004 a wind study report dated the 4° October 2001 of the wind environment
around the proposed building was submitted. The report dealt with pedestrian comfort
around the building. It did not address pedestrian safety, or the effect(s) upon motor

vehicles or high-sided vehicles. There is no standardisation of criteria employed in the
preparation of such reports, and there is no obligation to consider pedestrian safety and
the effects upon all types of highway user.

There is no guidance for planning authorities as to the considerations necessary in
relation to the wind effects of tall buildings. A standard sized motor vehicle will be
affected by wind speeds of 15 to 20 metres per second.

Development works commenced in June 2004 and the building was completed in March
2007. Since January 2007 the building has, at times, created difficult and hazardous
conditions for third parties. A scheme has been identified which, it is anticipated, will
ameliorate or mitigate, but not eliminate, the wind tunnel effect created by the building.
This scheme has not been put into effect.

CORONER’S CONCERNS

During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In
my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken. In the
circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you.

The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows. —

(1)When considering the wind effect which is likely to be created by the construction of a
tall building, appropriate criteria should be established in relation to the safety of all
highway users; and

(2)Guidance should be provided to all planning authorities that consideration should be
given to the wind effects of tall buildings upon all highway users namely high-sided
vehicles, motor cars, motor bikes, pedal cycles and pedestrians

ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and | believe your
organisation have the power to take such action.

YOUR RESPONSE

You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report,
namely by 7" March 2014 |, the Coroner, may extend the period.

Your response must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, setting out
the timetable for action. Otherwise you must explain why no action is proposed.

COPIES and PUBLICATION

| have sent a copy of my report to the Chief Coroner and to the following Interested
Persons — DAC Beachcroft Solicitors, Henry Hyams Solicitors, Irwin Mitchell Solicitors,
Freeth Cartwright Solicitors —

| am also under a duty to send the Chief Coroner a copy of your response.

The Chief Coroner may publish either or both in a complete or redacted or summary
form. He may send a copy of this report to any person who he believes may find it useful
or of interest. You may make representations to me, the coroner, at the time of your
response, about the release or the publication of your response by the Chief Coroner.

10 January 2014 Miss Melanie J Williamson

Assistant Coroner
MWA
—_—

Related reports

Other reports by Melanie Williamson

See all →

More reports categorised “Other related deaths”

See all →

Track Melanie Williamson

See every Prevention of Future Deaths report matching Melanie Williamson, and how often a new one appears.

What would an alert for this have sent me? Search the full text

Free to try — the preview shows the real matches and how many arrived in the last 12 months. Your first email alert is free.

These reports are published by the Chief Coroner's office at judiciary.uk and are © Crown copyright. The text here is reproduced from the published PDF so it can be searched. If something on this page is wrong, or you are a person named in it and want it reviewed, email drcjar@gmail.com and we will act promptly.