Sidney Martin
PFD Report
Partially Responded
Ref: 2014-0196
Coroner's Concerns (AI summary)
The dangerous condition of canal bridge steps and poor lighting in the area pose a significant risk to public safety.
View full coroner's concerns
The MAHERS OF CONCERN are as follows.
— (1) The condition of the steps from the canal bridge leading to Gas Street, Skipton, presents a danger to those using the bridge.
(2) The poor lighting in the area of the bridge.
— (1) The condition of the steps from the canal bridge leading to Gas Street, Skipton, presents a danger to those using the bridge.
(2) The poor lighting in the area of the bridge.
Responses
Noted
The Canal & River Trust acknowledges the coroner's report regarding a death at Gallows Footbridge in Skipton, extends condolences, and states that public safety is their highest priority. They describe the step surface as rough and not likely to be slippery when wet, and state that the surface is in good condition with little sign of wear. (AI summary)
The Canal & River Trust acknowledges the coroner's report regarding a death at Gallows Footbridge in Skipton, extends condolences, and states that public safety is their highest priority. They describe the step surface as rough and not likely to be slippery when wet, and state that the surface is in good condition with little sign of wear. (AI summary)
View full response
Dear Mr Turnbull RE: Ian Sidney Martin (Deceased)
— Gallows Footbridge, Skipton Further to your letter dated I May 2014 informing Canal & River Trust of the tragic death of Mr Martin on 9 January 2014 who fell down the steps at Bridge 179 (Gallows Bridge) in Skipton, I write in response to your report. I would extend our sincere condolences and sympathy to the family of Mr Martin. I would confirm that we were unaware of the incident until notified by the local newspaper some months after. The emergency services do not always notify us of incidents on the canals that the Canal & River Trust (the Trust) manages. As soon as we were made aware we undertook an investigation visit to the bridge. We have given your report very careful thought, and can confirm that public safety is the highest priority for the Trust. We note from the Regulation 28 Report that on the date of the accident in January it had been raining and that being evening it would have been dark. The report states that the steps were wet, slippery and worn. The Trust’s Health and Safety Advisor and I have both separately inspected the steps and are able to confirm that the step surface is rough in finish giving no indication of being likely to be slippery when wet. The surface of the steps is good with little sign of wear despite the footbridge taking very heavy footfall being located adjacent to the bus station into Skipton, There is a handrail on one side of the steps. Photographs that were taken by the Safety Advisor at the time of his visit are attached for your information. North West Waterways Canal & River Trust Waterside House Waterside Drive Wigan WN3 5AZ T 0303 040 4040 E enquiries.northwestcanalrivertrust.org.uk www.canalrivertrust.org.uk Patron: H.R.H. The Prince of Wales. Canal & River Trust, a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales with company number 7807276 and registered charity number 1146792, registered office address First Floor North, Station House, 500 Elder Gate, Milton Keynes MKQ 1 BB
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— Gallows Footbridge, Skipton Further to your letter dated I May 2014 informing Canal & River Trust of the tragic death of Mr Martin on 9 January 2014 who fell down the steps at Bridge 179 (Gallows Bridge) in Skipton, I write in response to your report. I would extend our sincere condolences and sympathy to the family of Mr Martin. I would confirm that we were unaware of the incident until notified by the local newspaper some months after. The emergency services do not always notify us of incidents on the canals that the Canal & River Trust (the Trust) manages. As soon as we were made aware we undertook an investigation visit to the bridge. We have given your report very careful thought, and can confirm that public safety is the highest priority for the Trust. We note from the Regulation 28 Report that on the date of the accident in January it had been raining and that being evening it would have been dark. The report states that the steps were wet, slippery and worn. The Trust’s Health and Safety Advisor and I have both separately inspected the steps and are able to confirm that the step surface is rough in finish giving no indication of being likely to be slippery when wet. The surface of the steps is good with little sign of wear despite the footbridge taking very heavy footfall being located adjacent to the bus station into Skipton, There is a handrail on one side of the steps. Photographs that were taken by the Safety Advisor at the time of his visit are attached for your information. North West Waterways Canal & River Trust Waterside House Waterside Drive Wigan WN3 5AZ T 0303 040 4040 E enquiries.northwestcanalrivertrust.org.uk www.canalrivertrust.org.uk Patron: H.R.H. The Prince of Wales. Canal & River Trust, a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales with company number 7807276 and registered charity number 1146792, registered office address First Floor North, Station House, 500 Elder Gate, Milton Keynes MKQ 1 BB
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Sent To
Response Status
Linked responses
1 of 2
56-Day Deadline
26 Jun 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 17th January, 2014, I commenced an investigation into the death of Ian Sidney Martin, aged 68. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on &h April. 2014. The conclusion of the inquest was Ian Sidney Martin died as a result of an accident. The medical cause of death was Traumatic head injury.
Circumstances of the Death
Shortly before 18:30 hours on gth January, 2014, Mr Ian Sidney Martin was making his way from Skipton Bus Station to Tescos store to meet his wife. It was dark and had been raining and the ground was very wet. From the Bus Station Mr Martin used the canal bridge which leads up to Gas Street, Skipton. He fell on the wet, slippery and worn steps on the bridge sustaining a head injury from which he died in hospital later that day. At the inquest evidence was heard about other people slipping on these steps or avoiding them in wet weather realising they were dangerous. Postmortem reports and toxicology reports confirm that Mr Martin was in good health and had not been drinking at the time of the incident.
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Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.