Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2019

Thomas Reid

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2019-0229, written 28 Jun 2019. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report28 Jun 2019
Reference2019-0229
DeceasedThomas Reid
CoronerEmma Serrano
Coroner areaDerby and Derbyshire
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.

REGULATION 28:  REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS  

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: 

1.  Derbyshire County Council; 
2.  Chief Coroner; 
3.  Family of the deceased. 

1 

CORONER 

I am Emma Serrano, Assistant Coroner, for the coroner area of the Derby and 
Derbyshire. 

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 the 25th September 2018, I commenced an investigation into the death of Mr Thomas 
Andrew Reid.  The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 28 June 2019. 
The  conclusion  of  the  inquest  was  a  short  narrative  conclusion  of:    Road  Traffic 
Collision.  

The cause of death was:   

1a  Traumatic Brain Injury; 
1b  Skull Fracture; and 
1c  Road Traffic Collision 

4 

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

i)  Mr Reid was a 27 year old gentleman who was driving his motorbike along 
the  A515  near  to  Sudbury  in  Ashbourn,  with  the  junction  of  the  B5033 
(Cockshead Lane).  During this journey he came across a queue of traffic.  
Mr  Reid  started  to  overtake  the  queue  of  traffic  and  had  a  road  traffic 
collision  with  a  tractor  being  driven  by  another.    The  tractor  was  in  the 
process of completing the manoeuvre of turning right into the B5033.     

ii)  He sadly died from the injuries, at the roadside on the sustained on the 21 

September 2018.  

iii)  It would appear that Mr Reid did not see the route marker board 155 meters 
from the junction which is the only advanced warning of the junction ahead.  
The  location  and  scale  of  the  sign  mean  that  it  could  be  obscured  by 
passing large vehicles, such as LGV’s, especially if they are slow moving.  

iv)  Also  that  the  A515  has  recently  been  resurfaced,  with  central  white  lines 
and  marginal  white  lines  also  having  been  renewed.    The  B5033  had  not 
had any surface dressing applied and the white lines defining the mouth of 
the  junction  has  not  been  renewed.    The  existing  markings  that  remained 

1 

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 were excessively worn and very feint, which made it less easy for motorists 
to define the mouth of the junction when travelling along the A515. 

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.  –  

1.  Evidence  emerged  during  the  inquest  that  there  were  at  least  two  previous 
incidents  along  that  part  of  the  road.    Once  causing  fatal  injuries  and  one 
causing critical injuries.  Additionally numerous other minor incidents. 

2.  The  route  marker  board  155  meters  from  the  junction,  is  the  only  advanced 
warning of the junction ahead.  The location and scale of the sign mean that it 
could be obscured by passing large vehicles, such as LGV’s, especially if they 
are slow moving.  This happens often given the presence of the junction. 

3.  Evidence also emerged at the inquest that Derby County Council was aware of 
the  issue  and  were  looking  at  more  signage,  larger  signs  and  additional  pre-
warning signs. This was discussed last October at a Derbyshire County Council 
meeting.  It was not known what, if anything, Derbyshire County Council would 
do about this known risk.       

6 

ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN 

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you have the 
power to take such action.  

1.  You  may  wish  to  consider  further  reviewing  the signage  on  the  road  and  what 
remedies  should  be  put  in  place  to  reduce  the  risk  of  further  Road  Traffic 
collisions along the A515. 

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 August 2019.  

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. 

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. 

2 

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 9 

Miss Emma Serrano 
Assistant Coroner 
Derby and Derbyshire Coroners Area

3 

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