Maurice Wrightson

In the Jury; The circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you _ During the hearing evidence was heard that Mr Wrightson was using i-shift automatic gears while driving the coach, and foot retarder; in addition to the normal vehicle brakes during the long mountain descent_ The inquest heard from former Depot Manager that following Mr Wrightson's death, he checked with other coach drivers in the employment of Classic Coaches, Durham; at the time, as to their usual driving practice and found that their driving practices were equally divided. Some drivers engaged manual gears and others used automatic i-shift gears during mountain descents. Mr Shipley took the decision to instruct all drivers to use manual gears during mountain descents_ Evidence was heard that driving uphill, an automatic gear system works on the principle of climbing with a low gear initially until the vehicle gains momentum and automatically steps up to the next gear as resistance lowers and speed increases Conversely, going downhill the use of automatic gears would have less resistance and increased momentum, causing a need for additional braking: informed the inquest that he had tried to clarify the position with Volvo as to the recommendations contained in the Vehicle Manual, which gave a clear recommendation as to the use of vehicle aears while going uphill but was silent as to any recommendation when going downhill: said that in attempting to clarify the situation with the vehicle manufacturers, the reply he received was that drivers 'should follow the information or advice contained in the Vehicle Manual' The manufacturers (Volvo) had not been recognised as an interested person or invited to attend the Inquest because this was point which arose during the hearing of evidence at the Inquest itself: evidence was that the Volvo handbook wallet for the B1ZB and B12M produced 2004 has driver's handbook, operating instructions display booklet; operating instructions EBS booklet and operating instructions I-shift gearbox booklet which gives guidance only in relation to driving up a hill and the locking gear: In respect of subsequent Volvo models the advice remains the same except that later dated manuals advise 'caution in respect of brake fade in long descents' . There is no warning that automatic mode is likely to exacerbate brake fade in long descents (such as at Alp D'Huez). told the inquest that he would at that time, as a PCV driver himself; have done exactly the same as Maurice Wrightson and used automatic mode. The Volvo manual gives no guidance to drivers for downhill driving such that automatic gearbox mode would be selected rather than manual by most drivers. Owners and drivers are reliant on the manufacturer to supply adequate instructions on the use of these technological advancements fitted to their vehicles_ The inquest does not apportion any blame or liability for the circumstances of deaths and is prevented by Sections 5 and 10 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 from doing so_ However; it seems to me that the lack of information contained in the Vehicle Manual may lead to a lack of understanding or uncertainty, and there is a risk that this may lead to future deaths_