Harold Henshall
PFD Report
Historic (No Identified Response)
Ref: 2014-0217
Coroner's Concerns (AI summary)
Inadequate street lighting and crossing facilities on Church Street, especially near St Edwards Church, increased the risk to elderly pedestrians crossing the road.
View full coroner's concerns
In the circumstances it is my statutory duty t0 report to you: That the level of street lighting on Church StreetLeek in the vicinity of St Edwards 17th
Church is inadequate generally and particularly on the nearside of the Macclesfield bound carriageway_ Evidence at the inquest from local residents familiar with the location and police evidence suggested that the street lighting was poor and patchy; thus increasing the risk to pedestrians who choose t0 cross to the nearby car park upon leaving church: It is particularly relevant t0 church users who are predominantly elderly b) That the crossing facilities available on Church Street; Leek in the vicinity of St Edwards Church are inadequate generally but with particular reference t0 church users who are predominantly elderly: This is mindful of - the gradient of the road in both directions from the church to the nearest pedestrian crossing facility: The interference with visibility caused to drivers in the Macclesfield bound direction by the gradient of the road and, particularly at night; the lights of on-coming vehicles_
Church is inadequate generally and particularly on the nearside of the Macclesfield bound carriageway_ Evidence at the inquest from local residents familiar with the location and police evidence suggested that the street lighting was poor and patchy; thus increasing the risk to pedestrians who choose t0 cross to the nearby car park upon leaving church: It is particularly relevant t0 church users who are predominantly elderly b) That the crossing facilities available on Church Street; Leek in the vicinity of St Edwards Church are inadequate generally but with particular reference t0 church users who are predominantly elderly: This is mindful of - the gradient of the road in both directions from the church to the nearest pedestrian crossing facility: The interference with visibility caused to drivers in the Macclesfield bound direction by the gradient of the road and, particularly at night; the lights of on-coming vehicles_
Sent To
- Staffordshire County Council
Response Status
Linked responses
0 of 1
56-Day Deadline
11 Jul 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 10"h April 2013 | commenced an investigation into the death of Harold Gordon Henshall; aged 86 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 29th April 2014. The conclusion of the inquest was Road Traffic Collision. The medical cause of death was Ia Pulmonary thromboembolism with pulmonary infarct 1b Suspected deep vein thrombosis Immobility resulting from traumatic subarachnoid and epidural haemorrhage; haemorrhagic brain contusions, fractured ribs and fractured right scapula.
Circumstances of the Death
At approximately 7.30pm on February 2013 at A53, Church Street; Leek, Staffordshire , adjacent to St Edwards Church this elderly man with limited mobility that required the use of a stick to assist with walking left St Edwards Church His intention was t0 cross the road from the church to the nearby car park: As Mr Henshall crossed the road from the church towards Market Square he was in collision with the front nearside of a vehicle travelling in the Macclesfield bound lane Mr Henshall suffered multiple injuries and following treatment at the scene was admitted to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire as an emergency: He remained gravely ill and died at 8.10am on 27th March 2013 at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire.
Action Should Be Taken
In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and believe you and your organisation] have the power to take such action.
Copies Sent To
Collision Investigation Unit; Stafford Police Station Eastgate Street
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Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.