Source · Prevention of Future Deaths

Richard Littlewood

Ref: 2023-0214 Date: 27 Jun 2023 Coroner: Lorraine Harris Area: East Riding and Hull Responses identified: 2 / 1 View PDF

Repeat fatal incidents on a specific road bend highlight concerns about inadequate safety measures and a lack of clear timescales for assessing and implementing additional road markings despite discussions between authorities.

Date 27 Jun 2023

56-day deadline 22 Aug 2023 est.

Responses identified 2 of 1

Road (Highways Safety) related deaths

Coroner's concerns

AI summary

View full coroner's concerns

(1) Evidence was heard that, on this particular stretch/bend of the A1033, there have been 3 incidents that have occurred within a short space of time.
• A fatality leading to the death of Mr Littlewood in July 2022.
• A fatality leading to the death of another male in November 2022.
• An incident involving a farm vehicle which shed its load in late June/early July 2022 (very little details are known of this, suffice that it occurred near the location of the bend in the road where Mr Littlewood died, albeit on the opposite side). I do acknowledge that each of these incidents are completely different scenarios. It may be worthwhile to note that it is local road users that have been involved in all the incidents.

(2) During evidence it was heard that signage and road markings have been discussed between the police and Highways that may make the road safer. Some signage had been put in place but an assessment needs to be completed for additional road markings and the timings for this were unclear. I am aware that after every fatality in this area the police and the Highways liaise with each other over signage/road markings as a matter of course. I have concerns only regarding the fact that no timescale had been set for the assessment to take place.

Responses

2 respondents

Serious Collisions Unit

29 Jun 2023 PDF

Action Taken

The Serious Collisions Unit confirms that new signage has been installed to pre-warn drivers of bends at the collision scene. (AI summary)

View full response

From:

Sent: 29 June 2023 11 :38 To:

Subject: RE: Report to Prevent Future Death Richard Stephen LITTLEWOOD Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Completed Caution - This email was sent from outside of our organisation. Do not click on any links, preview or open any attachments, or provide any log-in details unless you recognise the sender and know the content is safe. Good Morning, With reference to the death of Richard LITTLEWOOD, Ms Harris requested that I re-attend at the scene of the collision to ascertain if the East Riding Council had caried out any remedial work. I can confirm that new signage has been installed to pre warn drivers of the bends. If you could please ensure this is passed to the coroner for her reports. The generic email address for all staff in our unit is sou serious collision@humberside.police.uk If you require any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me. Kind Regards

Serious Collisions Investigator Serious Collisions Unit Humberside Police Wyke Way Melton HU143BQ

1

East Riding of Yorkshire Council Local Authority / Fire Service

31 Jul 2023 PDF

Action Taken

The council has replaced chevron signs warning of bends and undertaken winter and summer visibility surveys. (AI summary)

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Dear Miss Harris Death of Richard Stephen Littlewood Following your email of 26th June 2023 and addressing your concerns raised in section 5(2) of your report to prevent future deaths, I can confirm the following:
1. The chevron signs warning of the bends facing traffic in both directions have been replaced. This work was carried out in July 2023.
2. A winter visibility survey was undertaken at the bends on 17th January 2023,
3. This has been followed by a summer visibility survey undertaken on 13th July 2023.
4. These surveys confirmed that the visibility available around the bends is suitable for the 40mph speed limit that is in place and that the existing hazard warning centre lines are appropriate. There are no additional works planned at this site, though we will continue to monitor the condition of the highway and signing.

Report sections

Investigation and inquest

On 2nd August 20222 I commenced an investigation into the death of Richard Stephen LITTLEWOOD, aged 40 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 26th June 2023. The conclusion of the inquest was Road Traffic Incident. Box 3 of the record of inquest read: On 8th July 2022 Richard Stephen Littlewood was travelling on his motorcycle on the A1033. As he rounded a bend his motorcycle crossed the white line and he struck an oncoming vehicle. Mr Littlewood was conveyed to Hull Royal Infirmary with multiple traumatic injuries. He spent 3 weeks in intensive care but died on 29th July 2022, he was 40 years of age. One of the findings of fact stated: The Forensic Collision Investigator feels, and I agree, that it was likely rider error, braking on the bend caused the motorcycle to become upright and travel in a straight direction. Mr Littlewood’s medical cause of death was recorded as: COD: 1a Bronchopneumonia 1b Multiple traumatic injuries 1c Road traffic incident

Circumstances of the death

Mr Littlewood was travelling on his motorcycle with a friend in convoy, he has braked when taking a bend in the road causing his motorcycle to travel in a straight line and into the path of an oncoming vehicle. He was conveyed to Hull Royal Infirmary with traumatic injuries. He died 3 weeks later 29th July 2022.

Copies sent to

who in my opinion should receive itYou may make representations to me, the coroner, at the time of your response, about the release or the publication of your response. [DATE] [SIGNED BY CORONER]27th June 2023 Lorraine Harris

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Report details

Reference: 2023-0214
Date of report: 27 June 2023
Coroner: Lorraine Harris
Coroner area: East Riding and Hull

Responses identified

Responses identified 2 of 1

All listed responses identified

Organisations named in PFD reports are normally expected to respond within 56 days. Deadline: 22 Aug 2023 (estimated).

Sent to

Highways Department

Source links

Judiciary.uk page → Report PDF →

Data: judiciary.uk under OGL.