Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2017

Paul Briggs

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2017-0040, written 28 Feb 2017. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report28 Feb 2017
Reference2017-0040
DeceasedPaul Briggs
CoronerAndre Rebello
Coroner areaLiverpool and Wirral
CategoryRoad (Highways Safety) 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  

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

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: 

Merseyside Passenger Transport Authority 
Merseytravel,  
PO Box 1976, 
Liverpool, 
L69 3HN 

1 

CORONER 

I am André Joseph Anthony Rebello, Senior Coroner, for the area of Liverpool & Wirral 

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 23rd January 2017 I commenced an investigation into the death of Paul Michael 
BRIGGS, Aged 43. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 28th 
February 2017. 
The medical cause of death was: 

Ia Minimal Conscious State                                                     
Ib Traumatic Head Injury                                                       

The conclusion of the inquest was: Road traffic collision 

4 

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

On the evening of 03/07/2015 Paul Briggs was riding his own motor cycle on his way to 
work at Merseyside's Roads Policing Headquarters in Liverpool. As he rode up the 
Borough Road access road to the Birkenhead Tunnels, an oncoming vehicle, a Nisan 
Micra, veered onto his side of the road, across solid white lines and a collision occurred. 
Paul suffered multiple fractures and also a very traumatic brain injury which left him in a 
minimally conscious state. He was treated in the Walton centre until a Court of 
Protection order was made in December 2016 approving a palliative care plan. On the 
11/01/17 artificial nutrition and hydration was withdrawn. Paul was pronounced having 
died at 09.15Hrs Saturday 21st January 2017. 

1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
                                                                          
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 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.  –  

Though there is appropriate signage, a two way sign as the carriageways merge and 
though there are double white lines dividing the tunnel bound carriageway from the 
Liverpool bound carriageway; this incident occurred resulting in a tragic death. It is 
unclear as to why the Nissan Micra strayed onto the wrong side of the road but had the 
double white lines also included rumble strips – (as in the tunnel itself and similar to the 
lines next to motorway hard shoulders)- this would minimise the risk of inadvertently 
straying into the oncoming lane especially at quiet times when the side barriers and the 
bend inhibit visibility of oncoming traffic. 

It is now some 20 months after this tragic incident which proved fatal and risk 
assessments as to the risk of this eventuality, with appropriate remedial action should be 
nearing completion. 

6 

ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN 

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you 
[AND/OR 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 28th April 2017. 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. 

COPIES and PUBLICATION 

I have sent a copy of my report to the Chief Coroner and to the following Interested 
Persons the family of Mr Briggs, the driver of the Nissan Micra, Merseyside Police. 

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. 

8 

9 

André Rebello 
Senior Coroner for the 
City of Liverpool & Wirral 

Dated: 28th February 2017 

2

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 Merseyside Passenger Transport Authority (PDF)
2/5/26, 2:39 PM

RE: Preventing Future Deaths

Subject: RE: Preventing Future Deaths

This was a case that was on an old database so we do not have the actual response but the authority replied

“Please accept our apologies for not responding to Mr Rebello’s Order of 28th February 2017. We were
unaware of the Order or any recommendations within it. However, having liaised with 
Asset Management) this afternoon, I can confirm that we are able to comply with Mr Rebello’s
recommendations for rumble strips to be included within the white lines in the area concerned. In respect of a
timetable for action, we propose to engage a suitable contractor by the end of next week, being 5 th May
2017. We will then endeavour to have the works completed at the earliest opportunity taking into account the
availability of the contractor/closure of the Tunnel approach roads and seeking permissions from Wirral
Borough Council. If this is acceptable to Mr Rebello, once we have instructed a suitable contractor, we will
advise further with a start and completion date for the works.”

 (Head of

André Rebello OBE

Senior Coroner Liverpool and Wirral Area

Hon Secretary Coroners’ Society of England & Wales

HM Coroner’s Court

Gerard Majella Courthouse

Boundary Street

Liverpool

L5 2QD

https://email.bt.com/mail/index-rui.jsp?v=MX_3.11.0.7#/mail

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