Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2016

Eitvydas Zdanys

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2016-0043, written 9 Feb 2016. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report9 Feb 2016
Reference2016-0043
DeceasedEitvydas Zdanys
CoronerThomas Osborne
Coroner areaBedfordshire and Luton
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.

Thomas R. Osborne 
 Senior Coroner - Bedfordshire and Luton 

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: 

The Chief Constable 
Bedfordshire Police 
Police Headquarters 
Woburn Road 
Kempston 
Bedfordshire.  
MK43 9AX            

1 

CORONER 

I am Thomas R. Osborne, Senior Coroner  for Bedfordshire and Luton                       

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. 
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2009/25/schedule/5/paragraph/7 
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/1629/part/7/made 

3 

INVESTIGATION and INQUEST 

On  5th  August  2015  I  commenced  an  Investigation  into  the  death  of    Eitvydas  
ZDANYS, aged 19 years . The Investigation concluded at the end of the inquest 
on  9th    February  2016.  The  Conclusion  of  the  Inquest  was  ‘Road  Traffic 
Collision’.  The medical cause of death was: 

Ia      Multiple Traumatic Injuries   
II      Alcohol Intoxication    

4 

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

On  Sunday  the  2nd  August  2015,  whilst  intoxicated  and  carrying  a  pillion 
passenger,  the  deceased  was  riding  a  motor  cycle  along  the  A505  Dunstable 
Road,  Luton,  when  he  collided  with  another  vehicle  and  sustained  serious 
injuries.  He died at the scene on 2nd August 2015 

Senior Coroner, The Court House, Woburn Street, AMPTHILL, Bedfordshire, MK45 2HX 
Tel 0300-300-6559    |    Fax 0300-300-8267 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 

ORONER’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: 

During the course of the Investigation my attention was drawn to the video footage from 
the Officers who originally attended this road traffic incident. It would appear that these 
Officers  were  unable  to  assess  a  seriously  injured  motorcyclist  and  were  unable  to 
commence what could have been life-saving resuscitation. There perhaps needs to be a 
review of the training of all Police Officers to ensure that they have all received training 
in  basic  life  support  if  they  are  at  any  time  expected  to  take  on  the  role  of  ‘first 
responder’.  One  of  the  Officers  who  investigated  the  collision  was  of  the  opinion  
“…CPR should have been administered at a much earlier stage…..”   I am satisfied that 
the delay in attending to the deceased did not in any way contribute to his death. 

6 

ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN 

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you 
as Chief Constable of  Bedfordshire Police 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 5th April 2016. 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  

  Family - 

 (cousin) 

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 

Senior Coroner, The Court House, Woburn Street, AMPTHILL, Bedfordshire, MK45 2HX 
Tel 0300-300-6559    |    Fax 0300-300-8267 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Coroner,  at  the  time  of  your  response,  about  the  release  or  the  publication  of 
your response by the Chief Coroner. 

9 

Dated 9th February 2016 

……………………………………….. 
THOMAS R. OSBORNE 
Senior Coroner 
Bedfordshire and Luton 

Senior Coroner, The Court House, Woburn Street, AMPTHILL, Bedfordshire, MK45 2HX 
Tel 0300-300-6559    |    Fax 0300-300-8267

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 Respondent Not Named (PDF)
JON BOUTCHER
CHIEF CONSTABLE

BEDFORDSHIRE POLICE
Pretectiog Poapie and Fighting Crimea. Kempston, Bedford, MK43 SAX

Force Headquarters, Woburn Road

Together Telephone: 01234 846986

Fax: 01234 —

6" April, 2016

Mr. T. Osborne,

Senior Coroner for Bedfordshire & Luton,
The Court House,

Woburn Street,

Ampthill,

Beds.

MK45 2HX

Dear Mr Osborne,

Thank you for the letter from your offices dated 12 February 2016 enclosing a report to prevent future
deaths pursuant to Regulation 28 of the Coroners (investigations) Regulations 2013 following the
inquest touching upon the death of Eitvydas Zdanys.

Bedfordshire Police approach such reports with the upmost seriousness. We are always keen to
enhance good practice within the force wherever possible. Therefore upon receipt of your report we
launched an investigation into the events of the night of 2 August 2015. In particular the force have
sought input from a paramedic trainer, who was asked to review the body worn footage and consider
what lessons can be learnt from this incident.

The body worn camera was worn by the police officer giving first aid to Mr Zdanys at the incident. He
remained with Mr Zdanys until the paramedics arrived. One other female officer was also present for
this period. it is clear that the officers were faced with a challenging emergency situation whereby a
seriously injured individual was wearing a helmet and leathers, had his leg trapped by the motorbike
and was reasonably suspected to have suffered major head and spinal injuries.

The two above mentioned officers were provided with first aid training when they joined the force,
which included a component on when and how to give CPR. Notwithstanding the risks of head or spinal
injury officers are trained that if the signs of life cease, CPR should be commenced. First aid and CPR
training is refreshed for every officer annually.

The reviewing paramedic trainer considers that some of the initial steps taken by the officers were
satisfactory. They checked for a pulse and for breathing. They moved the motorbike and put Mr Zdanys
in the recovery position. There was however a delay in providing CPR once it was considered the Mr
Zdanys was no longer breathing.

The first responder at the scene has informed that he was concerned not to move Mr Zdanys for fear of
exacerbating any injuries he had already sustained and another officer who was on the phone to the
ambulance controller was passing on the advice given to them which was not to move Mr Zdanys and to

await the arrival of the paramedic. A member of the public, who claimed to be an army medic, was also
providing advice at the scene that Mr Zdanys should not be moved. All this advice clearly confused the
situation. Nevertheless the first responder accepts that a point came when he should, in accordance
with his training, have commenced CPR despite the risks involved.

The abovementioned officers will shortly receive training on when and how to administer CPR so that
they are better equipped to make the right decisions should such an emergency decision arise in the
future. Furthermore all officers will be reminded during their annual refresher training of when it is
necessary and appropriate to commence CPR.

Our investigation has further sought to consider why the officers failed to commence CPR at the
appropriate time. Clearly this was a stressful and difficult situation. We however consider that such
issues could have ameliorated substantially by better management of the scene on the night. Channels
of communication were not clear. A member of the public was allowed to interfere with police
operations. We therefore propose to train all officers further as to the management of scenes following
a RTC where a major injury is suspected.

We hope that our actions to date and our plan of action in the future reassures you that we are seeking
to make important improvements following this tragic incident. We note that you are satisfied that that
any delay in administering CPR did not contribute to the death in any way.

Please do not hesitate to contact me further if | can assist in any way.
May | also take this opportunity on behalf of myself and the force to extend my condolences to the Mr

Zdany’s family following this very sad road traffic accident.

Yours sincerely,

‘

On behalf of Jon Boutcher,
Chief Constable QPM Mst (Cantab)

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