Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2014

Sidney Martin

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2014-0196, written 1 May 2014. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report1 May 2014
Reference2014-0196
DeceasedSidney Martin
CoronerRobert Turnbull
Coroner areaNorth Yorkshire (West)
CategoryOther related deaths
Sourcejudiciary.uk record · original PDF
Responses published1

The report

Text extracted from the PDF text layer. Reproduced verbatim, including the scan's own layout.

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 Waterway Manager, North West Waterways Canal & River Trust
2.
3. The Chief Coroner

CORONER

I am Robed Tumbull, senior coroner for the coroner area of North Yorkshire Western
Area.

2

CORONER’S LEGAL POWERS

I 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 17th January, 2014, I commenced an investigation into the death of Ian Sidney
Martin, aged 68. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on &h April.
2014. The conclusion of the inquest was Ian Sidney Martin died as a result of an
accident. The medical cause of death was Traumatic head injury.

4

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH

Shortly before 18:30 hours on gth January, 2014, Mr Ian Sidney Martin was making his
It was dark and had
way from Skipton Bus Station to Tescos store to meet his wife.
been raining and the ground was very wet. From the Bus Station Mr Martin used the
canal bridge which leads up to Gas Street, Skipton. He fell on the wet, slippery and
worn steps on the bridge sustaining a head injury from which he died in hospital later
that day. At the inquest evidence was heard about other people slipping on these steps
or avoiding them in wet weather realising they were dangerous. Postmortem reports
and toxicology reports confirm that Mr Martin was in good health and had not been
drinking at the time of the incident.

5

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 MAHERS OF CONCERN are as follows. —

(1) The condition of the steps from the canal bridge leading to Gas Street, Skipton,

presents a danger to those using the bridge.

(2) The poor lighting in the area of the bridge.

6

ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you AND/OR

I

 your organisation have the power to take such action.

7

YOUR RESPONSE

You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report,
namely by 26” June! 2014. I, 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.

8

COPIES and PUBLICATION

I have sent a copy of my report to the Chief Coroner and to the following Interested
Persons:
I 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.

1’ May 2014

,

Robert Turnbull

7

Responses

1 response published against this report on judiciary.uk. A response is a body's written reply to the coroner's concerns; publication is at the discretion of the Chief Coroner's office, so an absent response does not mean nobody replied.

Response from Canal River Trust (PDF)
1’

J Canal&
<.e River Trust
Keeping people, nature & history connected

9 May 2014

Robert Turnbull
Office of the Senior Coroner
21 Grammar School Lane
Nodhallerton
North Yorkshire
DL6 1DF

Dear Mr Turnbull

N. Y. CORONER
15 MAY 2014

RE: Ian Sidney Martin (Deceased) — Gallows Footbridge, Skipton

Further to your letter dated I May 2014 informing Canal & River Trust of the tragic death of Mr Martin
on 9 January 2014 who fell down the steps at Bridge 179 (Gallows Bridge) in Skipton, I write in
response to your report.

I would extend our sincere condolences and sympathy to the family of Mr Martin.

I would confirm that we were unaware of the incident until notified by the local newspaper some months
after. The emergency services do not always notify us of incidents on the canals that the Canal & River
Trust (the Trust) manages. As soon as we were made aware we undertook an investigation visit to the
bridge.

We have given your report very careful thought, and can confirm that public safety is the highest priority
for the Trust.

We note from the Regulation 28 Report that on the date of the accident in January it had been raining
and that being evening it would have been dark. The report states that the steps were wet, slippery and
worn. The Trust’s Health and Safety Advisor and I have both separately inspected the steps and are
able to confirm that the step surface is rough in finish giving no indication of being likely to be slippery
when wet. The surface of the steps is good with little sign of wear despite the footbridge taking very
heavy footfall being located adjacent to the bus station into Skipton, There is a handrail on one side of
the steps. Photographs that were taken by the Safety Advisor at the time of his visit are attached for
your information.

North West Waterways

Canal & River Trust Waterside House Waterside Drive Wigan WN3 5AZ
T 0303 040 4040 E enquiries.northwestcanalrivertrust.org.uk www.canalrivertrust.org.uk

Patron: H.R.H. The Prince of Wales. Canal & River Trust, a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in
England and Wales with company number 7807276 and registered charity number 1146792, registered office address
First Floor North, Station House, 500 Elder Gate, Milton Keynes MKQ 1 BB

 S.-)

3

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