Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2015

David Charles

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2015-0366, written 16 Sep 2015. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report16 Sep 2015
Reference2015-0366
DeceasedDavid Charles
CoronerCaroline Beasley-Murray
Coroner areaEssex
CategoryRoad (Highways Safety) related deaths
Sourcejudiciary.uk record · original PDF
Responses publishednone published

The report

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

ANNEX A 

REGULATION 28:  REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS (1) 

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: Street Lighting, Essex Highways, Essex 
County Council, County Hall, Chelmsford, Essex. CM1 1QH. 

1 

CORONER 

I am Mrs Eleanor McGann, Area Coroner, for  Essex 

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 5th December 2014 I commenced an investigation into the death of Mr David John 
James Charles who was 44 years of age. The investigation concluded at the end of the 
inquest on 7th September 2015. The conclusion of the inquest was that Mr Charles dies 
as a result of a Road Traffic Collision. 

4 

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

On the 29th November 2014 Mr Charles was walking in the carriageway of Cranes Farm 
Road, Basildon in Essex whilst under the influence of alcohol. At approximately 1:00am 
he was struck by a motor car as a result of which he landed in the carriageway where he 
was struck by a second motor car.  He died as a result of multiple injuries on the 29th 
November 2014. 

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 MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows.  –  It was a dark and dry night. The 
section of Cranes Farm Road on which Mr Charles was walking when he was struck is 
provided with a system of street lighting. The lighting was switched off at the time of this 
incident.  In the case of each driver, the evidence was that they could have done nothing 
to avoid the collision.  This was due to the lack of ambient light and lack of expectation 
of seeing a pedestrian in the carriageway.  If the street lights had been illuminated it 
would have improved Mr Charles’s chance of being seen although this did not 
necessarily mean that either collision could have been avoided.  It would, however, have 
given him a better chance of living. 

6 

ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN 

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe your 

1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 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 2nd November 2015. 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  

  Admiral Insurance 
 
  Basildon Borough Council 
  Police 
  FCIU 

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. 

9 

16th September 2015                     Mrs Eleanor McGann  

2

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