Richard Barker, Ryan Bramwell and Robert Graham
PFD Report
Historic (No Identified Response)
Ref: 2014-0462
Coroner's Concerns (AI summary)
Road safety was compromised by vehicles having 'better' tyres on the front, which contributed to aquaplaning. Additionally, police officers were unaware of their statutory power to close roads for safety reasons.
View full coroner's concerns
and and and bony day
Both the Mercedes vehicle involved in the first collision and the Ford Escort involved in the second collision had tyres which met the requirements for the minimum amount of tread depth; but the rear tyres had considerably less tread depth than those on the front: Evidence was given by the expert vehicle examiners and police accident investigators, that this arrangement with the 'better' tyres to the front, is undesirable and did contribute to the effects of aquaplaning and loss of control in each case. It occurred to me that at the very least strong advice by tyre fitters should be given to any driver seeking to have the better tyres placed on the front, and preferably it should be made a legal requirement: (FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE) (B) During the course of the taking of evidence it became apparent that not all officers within the police service in Derbyshire are aware of their statutory rights to require a road to be closed and to remain closed for Up to 7 days for reasons of safety. Indeed, the Traffic Sergeant giving evidence appeared unaware of this power. Had he been aware of this he might have used that power to keep the road closed until it was deemed no longer hazardous: It would seem sensible that all officers, but especially those specifically directed towards road-policing; should be made aware of this power: (FOR THE CHIEF
Both the Mercedes vehicle involved in the first collision and the Ford Escort involved in the second collision had tyres which met the requirements for the minimum amount of tread depth; but the rear tyres had considerably less tread depth than those on the front: Evidence was given by the expert vehicle examiners and police accident investigators, that this arrangement with the 'better' tyres to the front, is undesirable and did contribute to the effects of aquaplaning and loss of control in each case. It occurred to me that at the very least strong advice by tyre fitters should be given to any driver seeking to have the better tyres placed on the front, and preferably it should be made a legal requirement: (FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE) (B) During the course of the taking of evidence it became apparent that not all officers within the police service in Derbyshire are aware of their statutory rights to require a road to be closed and to remain closed for Up to 7 days for reasons of safety. Indeed, the Traffic Sergeant giving evidence appeared unaware of this power. Had he been aware of this he might have used that power to keep the road closed until it was deemed no longer hazardous: It would seem sensible that all officers, but especially those specifically directed towards road-policing; should be made aware of this power: (FOR THE CHIEF
Sent To
- Department for Transport
- Derbyshire
Response Status
Linked responses
0 of 2
56-Day Deadline
29 Oct 2014
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 the 23r November 2009 the inquest into the death of Ryan Reece Bramwell was opened by James Nigel Anderson (Deputy Coroner for Derbyshire) . On the 20"h November 2009 the inquest into the death of Robert John Graham was opened by Dr Robert Hunter HM Coroner for Derbyshire and on the 19th November 2009 the inquest into the death of Richard Alan Barker was opened James Nigel Anderson (Deputy Coroner) | was ordered by the Chief Coroner of England Wales to assume jurisdiction of these matters and continue the investigations by order dated the 41 April 2014.The investigations concluded on the 27 August 2014 and the conclusion in each case was one of Accidental Death. The medical causes of death were as follows: Richard Alan Barker: 1a Cervical vertebral complete dislocation with cord transection. Ryan Reece Bramwell: 1a Multiple trauma 1b Road Traffic Accident Robert John Graham: 1a Multiple soft tissue injuries
Circumstances of the Death
On the 13th November 2009 Robert Graham was driving his Ford Mondeo motor car along the A619 from the Chesterfield direction towards Baslow. As he was proceeding up what is known as Chander Hill; his car was struck by an out of control Mercedes coming down the hill in the opposite direction, which had aquaplaned on an excessive amount of water on the carriageway The following at the same location a line of cars was proceeding from the Chesterfield direction towards Baslow when a Ford Escort RS 2000 overtook them at speed and in so doing it aquaplaned, crossed the centre of the carriageways and collided with an oncoming ambulance before careering down an embankment and into some trees. Two of the occupants of the Ford Escort were killed_
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:
Inquest Conclusion
Richard Alan Barker: 1a Cervical vertebral complete dislocation with cord transection. Ryan Reece Bramwell: 1a Multiple trauma 1b Road Traffic Accident Robert John Graham: 1a Multiple soft tissue injuries
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Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.