Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2024
Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2024-0279, written 21 May 2024. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.
| Date of report | 21 May 2024 |
|---|---|
| Reference | 2024-0279 |
| Deceased | Colin McCallum |
| Coroner | Simon Milburn |
| Coroner area | Cambridgeshire and Peterborough |
| Category | Road (Highways Safety) related deaths |
| Source | judiciary.uk record · original PDF |
| Responses published | 1 |
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 DEATHS THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: 1 1 CORONER I am Simon MILBURN, Area Coroner for the coroner area of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough 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 17 July 2023 I commenced an investigation into the death of Colin Neil Duncan MCCALLUM aged 62. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 16 May 2024. The conclusion of the inquest was that: Mr McCallum was driving his Ford Focus westbound along the A1307 dual carriageway at Hemingford in Cambridgeshire at around 1545hrs on 14.07.23. It was raining heavily at that time. Mr McCallum was driving in lane two of the carriageway when his vehicle struck a patch of water. He lost control of the vehicle which crossed the carriageway to the nearside before entering the grassed hard shoulder where it struck a stationary vehicle which had stopped to assist another driver. Mr McCallum's vehicle then continued into the adjacent treeline before coming to a sudden halt. Emergency Services were called to the scene. Sadly Mr McCallum had suffered severe traumatic injuries as a result of the collision and despite attempts at resuscitation his death was confirmed at 1715hrs. 4 CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH Mr McCallum was driving his Ford Focus westbound along the A1307 dual carriageway at Hemingford in Cambridgeshire at around 1545hrs on 14.07.23. It was raining heavily at that time. Mr McCallum was driving in lane two of the carriageway when his vehicle struck a patch of water. He lost control of the vehicle which crossed the carriageway to the nearside before entering the grassed hard shoulder where it struck a stationary vehicle which had stopped to assist another driver. Mr McCallum's vehicle then continued into the adjacent treeline before coming to a sudden halt. Emergency Services were called to the scene. Sadly Mr McCallum had suffered severe traumatic injuries as a result of the collision and despite attempts at resuscitation his death was confirmed at 1715hrs. 5 CORONER’S CONCERNS During the course of the investigation my inquiries revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken. In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you. The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows: (brief summary of matters of concern) I understand that responsibility for this stretch of road was passed to CCC by National Regulation 28 – After Inquest Document Template Updated 30/07/2021 Highways in Feb 2024. During the Inquest I heard evidence from National Highways Head attached). During the period Mar Of Planning & Development(statement of 2022 to Jul 2023 the Police were aware of 5 separate incidents on the stretch of the A1307 identified in individuals caused after vehicles had hit patches of water before leaving the carriageway. statement where there had been personal injury or death to I am concerned that unless the risk of flooding/standing water is reassessed and managed/monitored moving forward that there is a risk of future deaths occurring in circumstances similar to that of the current case. 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 July 16, 2024. 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 have also sent it to who may find it useful or of interest. I am also under a duty to send a copy of your response to the Chief Coroner and all interested persons who in my opinion should receive it. I may also send a copy of your response to any person who I believe may find it useful or of interest. 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 Dated: 21/05/2024 Simon MILBURN Area Coroner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Regulation 28 – After Inquest Document Template Updated 30/07/2021
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.
20240708_Colin MCCALLUM 01848-2023_CCC Response_SSM Colin MCCALLUM 01848-2023 8th July 2024 My ref: Your ref: Date: Contact: Telephone: Email: Mr Simon Milburn Area Coroner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough HM Coroner’s Office Dear Mr Milburn, Chief Executive’s Office Cambridgeshire County Council New Shire Hall Emery Crescent Enterprise Campus Alconbury Weald Huntingdon PE28 4YE Regulation 28 - Response to Report to Prevent of Future Deaths - A1307 I refer to the above report which was received by the County Council on 21 May 2024. In this report you outlined concerns relating to the management of the risk of flooding and standing water at Hemingford on the A1307. The below response outlines the measures being taken by the County Council to address this risk. However, before providing the formal response to these matters, may I take this opportunity to express my sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr Colin McCallum. Background The A1307 (former A14) was de-trunked on 8 February 2024 and control of the road transferred from National Highways to Cambridgeshire County Council on that date. On gaining control of the road, the County Council instigated an immediate speed restriction of 40mph on the affected stretches of the A1307 and introduced local traffic management so that the second lane of the dual carriageway at Hemingford is closed when there is a risk of flooding. Investigation of existing drainage The Council has investigated the flooding and surface water issues on the A1307. On the carriageway verges, it was clear that the verge maintenance to allow water to run off the carriageway had not been undertaken before the road was de-trunked. The verges had therefore built up above the level of the road surface thus preventing water runoff. In the centre of the carriageway there is a French drain which is a substantial drainage feature which allows water to permeate through coarse gravel and stone, filtering out debris and detritus before it enters a large, perforated pipe that runs below the barrier support posts. It needs to be established whether the drainage pipe is damaged and needs to be replaced. Chief Executive cambridgeshire.gov.uk Proposed Remediation A plan has been developed to remediate the issues that have been identified. Works are planned to commence in late July 2024 and should take 4 weeks to complete. The works will involve the removal and clearance of the existing French Drain in the centre of the carriageway. Having revealed the drainage pipe, it will then be established if it needs to be replaced or cleared. Once any necessary works to replace or clear the pipe have been undertaken, the coarse gravel and stones will be reinstated. At the same time as the works on the French Drain, the verges to the side of the carriageways will be skimmed and gulleys will be cleared. Ongoing maintenance and review. These works will be tested and monitored for effectiveness to ensure that the actions undertaken have been successful in removing the flooding and surface water risk. Only when the Council is satisfied that the measures taken have removed this risk will the Council be able to remove the 40mph speed limit. The A1307 will be subject to monthly inspections by the Highways Inspector and the Local Highways Officer for the area, as well as enhanced monitoring when we experience heavy rainfall events. Cambridgeshire County Council remains committed to providing the safest roads for all road users and to further improve and enhance sustainable transport for all. Yours sincerely, Chief Executive
See every Prevention of Future Deaths report matching Road (Highways Safety) related deaths, and how often a new one appears.
What would an alert for this have sent me? Search the full text
Free to try — the preview shows the real matches and how many arrived in the last 12 months. Your first email alert is free.
These reports are published by the Chief Coroner's office at judiciary.uk and are © Crown copyright. The text here is reproduced from the published PDF so it can be searched. If something on this page is wrong, or you are a person named in it and want it reviewed, email drcjar@gmail.com and we will act promptly.