Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2025

Emma Hill

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2025-0180, written 9 Apr 2025. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report9 Apr 2025
Reference2025-0180
DeceasedEmma Hill
CoronerJohn Gittins
Coroner areaNorth Wales (East and Central)
CategoryWales prevention of future deaths reports (2019 onwards) · Road (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.

John Adrian Gittins 
Senior Coroner for North Wales (East and Central) 

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO:   

Wrexham County Borough Council, The Guildhall, Wrexham 

1 

CORONER 

I am John Adrian Gittins, Senior Coroner for North Wales (East and Central)                     

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 7th of April 2025 I commenced an investigation into the death of Emma Jane Hill  
(DOB 26.9.81 DOD 6.4.25). The investigation is ongoing at the present time but following a post 
mortem a provisional cause of death has been established as being 1(a) Blunt force head 
injuries.  

4 

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

The circumstances of the death are as follows : 

On the 6th of April 2024 the deceased was a pillion passenger on a motorcycle which was 
travelling in the direction of Nantwich along the A534. As the motorcycle approached the junction 
for Holt village, it collided with a motor vehicle which appears to have been exiting the junction.   
As a result of this collision the deceased sustained injuries which were incompatible with life and 
she was verified dead at the scene. 

5 

CORONER’S CONCERNS 

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.  – 

Following discussions with the Roads Traffic Policing Unit of North Wales Police, I am concerned 
that although at this location the A534 is a comparatively straight stretch road, the visibility from 
the junction when turning right out of the village in the direction of Wrexham may on occasions 
be obstructed by signage and/or by vehicles which are slowing to turn into the village.  

Furthermore as this straight stretch of road is subject to a national speed limit following a 40 mph 
zone, traffic may be accelerating or travelling at speed, thus creating risk both for persons exiting 
the junction and traffic which is continuing along the main road. 

It is also my understanding that there have been previous collisions in this vicinity in the past.  

Coroner's Office, County Hall, Wynnstay Road, Ruthin, LL15 1YN 
Tel 01824 708047    |  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Unless action is taken to improve visibility, reduce the speed of traffic or to alter the road layout, 
then there is an ongoing risk that further collisions will occur and that lives may be lost as a 
result. 

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. 

7 

YOUR RESPONSE 

You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report, namely by 
4th of June 2025 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 Family of the Deceased and to the Chief Coroner. 

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 

Dated 9th April 2025 

Signature 
Senior Coroner for North Wales (East and Central) 

Coroner's Office, County Hall, Wynnstay Road, Ruthin, LL15 1YN 
Tel 01824 708047    |

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 Wrexham County Borough Council (PDF)
Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Wrecsam/ Wrexham County Borough Council

Neuadd y Dref, Wrecsam. LL11 1AY ¢

Guildhall, Wrexham. LL11 1AY

DX: 721924 - Wrexham 4 !

www.wrecsam.gov.uk www.wrexham.gov.uk

Cyfnewid Testun/Text Relay: 18001 wrexham
COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL
CYNGOR BWRODEISTREF SIROL

sage Eich CyffYour Ref
Mr JA Gittins
. Ein Cyf/Our ref
Senior Coroner for North Wales Dysciad/Date DPWI/GEWACW
(East and Central) Gofynner am/Ask for

Coroner's Office Rhif Cyswilt/Contact No

County Hall E-bost/E-mail

Wynnstay Road

Ruthin

LL15 1YN

Dear Sir

Report for the Prevention of Future Deaths
Death of Emma Jane Hill

| refer to your e-mail dated 9 April 2025 enclosing a copy of your report under
paragraph 7, Schedule 5, of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 and regulations 28
and 29 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013.

Within your report, you state the following matter of concern:

Following discussions with the Roads Traffic Policing Unit of North Wales Police, | am
concerned that although at this location the A534 is a comparatively straight stretch
road, the visibility from the junction when turning right out of the village in the direction
of Wrexham may on occasions be obstructed by signage and/or by vehicles which are
slowing to turn into the village.

Furthermore as this straight stretch of road is subject to a national speed limit following
a 40 mph zone, traffic may be accelerating or travelling at speed, thus creating risk
both for persons exiting the junction and traffic which is continuing along the main
road. It is also my understanding that there have been previous collisions in this
vicinity in the past.

Unless action is taken to improve visibility, reduce the speed of traffic or to alter the
road layout, then there is an ongoing risk that further collisions will occur and that lives
may be lost as a result.

| can confirm that our Network & Asset Team Leader has liaised with colleagues from
Cheshire West & Chester Council in relation to the speed limit reduction. Whilst this
would be subject to a formal Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) consultation process,
both Local Authorities have given a principle commitment to reducing the speed limit
on this road and doing so in partnership given the road crosses the border.

Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg. Byddwn yn ymateb i unrhyw ohebiaeth yn Gymraeg ac ni fydd hyn yn arwain at unrhyw oedi.
We welcome correspondence in Welsh. We will respond to any correspondence in Welsh and this will not lead to any delay.

Additionally, the location has been assessed by our Road Safety Officer. It has been
determined that the junction would benefit from some minor alterations and we have
already raised the sign on the junction to improve visibility. The other improvements
can be achieved with amendments to the road markings. We have been notified by
North Wales Police that a reconstruction of the collision is planned for the week
commencing 2 June 2025 and therefore it would be prudent to await the outcome of
that ahead of finalising our proposals. The implementation of the road marking
alterations will be commissioned when the speed limit TRO consultation outcome has
been determined.

| trust this addresses your concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you
require additional information.

Yours faithfully

war —_ MF ncnment & Technical

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