UK Inquiry Tracker

James McGeown

PFD Report Historic (No Identified Response) Ref: 2015-0506

Date of Report 22 July 2015

Coroner Andrew Cox

Coroner Area Worcestershire

Response Deadline ✓ from report 16 September 2015

Road (Highways Safety) related deaths

Judiciary.uk Report PDF

Coroner's Concerns (AI summary)

An undulation in the road surface caused a loss of vehicle control at higher speeds, posing a significant risk to unsuspecting drivers.

View full coroner's concerns

In the circumstances it is my statutory to report to you: (1) / enclose a copy of the Collision Invesstigator's Report_prepared by your attention to paragraphs 6.13 and 8.6. has identified an "undulation" in the road surface. It is likely that this caused the "wobble" seen by the witness immediately prior to Mr McGeown losing control of his vehicle. In his evidence to the Court, that he had driven this stretch of road on several occassions as a consequence of this incident While travelling within the speed limit the_undulation causes drivers no concern At higher speeds (95mph) duty draw Isaid limit the undulation causes drivers no concern: At higher speeds (95mph), described the undulation as causing a loss of control that may have caused an unsuspecting driver to have a collision. (2) (3)

Sent To

Worcestershire County Council

Response Status

Linked responses 0 of 1

56-Day Deadline 16 Sep 2015

About PFD responses

Organisations named in PFD reports must respond within 56 days explaining what actions they are taking.

Source: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Report Sections

Investigation and Inquest

On 20 March 2015 commenced an investigation into the death of James Gerard MCGEOWN then aged 46. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 22 July 2015. The conclusion of the inquest was road traffic collision the medical cause of death being 1a) multiple injuries

Circumstances of the Death

Mr McGeown was seen to overtake another vehicle_ He was described at travelling well in excess of the speed limit of 7Omph. Toxicology evidence revealed that he was also driving under the influence of alcohol The Collision Investigator found that Mr McGeown was not wearing a seat belt At the time Mr McGeown overtook the other car; his vehicle was seen to "wobble" this caused the vehicle to step towards the nearside_ In attempting to recover the situation Mr McGeown oversteered and collided with the central reservation, crossing over it and in to the opposing carriageway_

Action Should Be Taken

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and believe you have the power to take such action.