Source · Prevention of Future Deaths

Thomas Pickering

Ref: 2021-0289 Date: 20 Aug 2021 Coroner: Tim Deeming Area: Suffolk Responses identified: 2 / 2 View PDF

The apparent lack of adequate signage, such as warnings for hidden dips or recent incidents, increases the risk of future road traffic collisions at the site.

Date 20 Aug 2021

56-day deadline 15 Oct 2021

Responses identified 2 of 2

Road (Highways Safety) related deaths

Coroner's concerns

AI summary

The apparent lack of adequate signage, such as warnings for hidden dips or recent incidents, increases the risk of future road traffic collisions at the site.

View full coroner's concerns

the MATTERS OF CONCERN as follows. –

I am concerned as to whether further preventative steps can be taken to mitigate the risk of future RTC’s at the site given the apparent lack of signage – eg hidden dips, or signage relating to notification of recent incidents at the area to increase awareness eg the number of fatalities/collisions.

Responses

2 respondents

Suffolk County Council Local Authority / Fire Service

16 Sep 2021 PDF

Action Planned

Suffolk County Council Highways has assessed the report and agreed to install a pair of hidden dip signs north of the Wallers Farm access, facing southbound traffic and will now proceed to design suitable locations, leading to the erection of new posts and signs in due course. (AI summary)

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Dear all, following a fatal road collision on 26 August 2020 the Assistant Coroner, Tim Deeming, issued a Regulation 28 Report to Suffolk County Council Highways in which he recommended action be taken in order to mitigate the risks of future collisions. Particular reference was made to the vertical alignment of the road and the presence of a hidden dip. Please see maps and photo’s below. For your information SCC Highways has assessed the Report and agreed to install a pair of hidden dip signs north of the Wallers Farm access, facing southbound traffic. Work will now proceed to design suitable locations, leading to the erection of new posts and signs in due course.

regards

Safety and Speed Management Engineer

Growth, Highways and Infrastructure Phoenix House, Ipswich, IP1 5NP Suffolk County Council

Web: www.suffolkroadsafe.com and suffolk.gov.uk/roads-and-transport Twitter: www.twitter.com/suffolkroadsafe

National Highways Other

PDF

Noted

National Highways states that they are not responsible for the A137 and cannot comment, advising the coroner to contact Suffolk County Council instead. (AI summary)

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Dear Julie

Thank you for your email to National Highways dated 31 August regarding the death of Thomas Pickering on the A137.

I'm very sorry to hear you've had to email us regarding safety concerns following the sad passing of Thomas Pickering.

Details of the roads that we're responsible for can be found here
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/roads-managed-by-highways-england

National Highways is responsible for the motorways and trunk roads in England and the A137 isn't a road we're responsible for so we can't comment on this matter. I see you sent this to Suffolk County Council as well so they'll have to respond to this. Thank you once again for contacting us and I hope that we’re able to assist you with your enquiry. If you’ve any further questions regarding this or any other National Highways issue, please feel free to contact us via our 24 hour Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123
5000. Alternatively, please e-mail us at info@highwaysengland.co.uk or access our website http://www.highwaysengland.co.uk where information on all National Highways policies and procedures can be found. Kind regards

Customer Contact Centre | Advisor National Highways | National Traffic Operations Centre | 3 Ridgeway, Quinton Bus. Park | Birmingham | B32 1AF Email: Info@highwaysengland.co.uk Tel: 0300 123 5000 National Highways Company Limited | Registered Office: Bridge House, 1 Walnut Tree Close, Guildford GU1 4LZ | Registered in England and Wales No. 9346363

Report sections

Investigation and inquest

On 4th December 2020 we commenced an investigation into the tragic death of Thomas Pickering

The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 19th August 2021. The conclusion of the inquest was that:-

On the 26 August 2020 Mr Pickering left home at approximately 22.20 with his girlfriend as a passenger. He was driving his Kia car towards Maningtree train station on the A137 near Tattingstone, Ipswich in order for her to depart on the 22.54 train.

At around 22.45 a road traffic collision occurred in the northbound lane near to Nine Oaks and Wallers Farm at the brow of the hill. The likely cause of this collision was due to the Kia overtaking a VW Golf despite the white lines, resulting in the collision with the oncoming Saab in an offset head-on impact. The speedometer of the Kia was recorded as 71mph and the speed limit at this section was 60mph.

Emergency services were called and fire crew service support was provided given that the Kia was inverted due to the collision and Mr Pickering remained upside down in the driving seat. Following his release from the car, paramedic support was then able to be assessed but Mr Pickering was recognised as passing away at 23.45 at the scene of the collision due to massive multiple injuries sustained.

The medical cause of death was confirmed as:

1a Massive Multiple Injuries 1b RTC

Circumstances of the death

Following on from the above and the Forensic Collision Investigator report I understand that the site of the incident already has solid white lines and a 60mph limit, however I heard that the area is a blind summit without signage or other warnings on approach, and the family understand that there have been other RTC’s at the location.

Action should be taken

In my opinion action should be taken in order to prevent future deaths, and I believe you or your organisation have the power to take any such action you identify.

Copies sent to

2. Suffolk Police

Similar PFD reports

Shared signals

Report details

Reference: 2021-0289
Date of report: 20 August 2021
Coroner: Tim Deeming
Coroner area: Suffolk

Responses identified

Responses identified 2 of 2

All listed responses identified

Organisations named in PFD reports are normally expected to respond within 56 days. Deadline: 15 Oct 2021.

Sent to

National Highways

Suffolk Highways

Source links

Judiciary.uk page → Report PDF →

Data: judiciary.uk under OGL.