Valerie Hancox
PFD Report
Historic (No Identified Response)
Ref: 2014-0144
Coroner's Concerns (AI summary)
Farm bale chutes are routinely left lowered and unmarked on public highways, contrary to manufacturer instructions, posing a significant, unlit obstruction hazard to other road users.
View full coroner's concerns
the course of the Investigation the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken: : Ellery, the During
(1) The bale chute, when on the public highway, should not be in its lowered position. However it appears to be standard farm practice to leave the bale chute down when moving from one field to another or to cross a public highway: (2) The bale chute was just short of 2 metres in length and falls under the legislation that; when on roads, it should be clearly marked. If it were over 2 metres then it would have to be lit, (3) The bale chute no markings and was painted matt grey: The manufacturers state in their handbook that the chute should be stored in the up position for travel on roads This may explain why there is no marking but relies on the driver adhering to that instruction.
(4) Given the potential for obstructing the highway, all the more So as the manufacturer's instructions appear to be not followed, bale chutes should be clearly marked so that anyone approaching side on, or night; as the deceased's husband was, should be able to see it,
(1) The bale chute, when on the public highway, should not be in its lowered position. However it appears to be standard farm practice to leave the bale chute down when moving from one field to another or to cross a public highway: (2) The bale chute was just short of 2 metres in length and falls under the legislation that; when on roads, it should be clearly marked. If it were over 2 metres then it would have to be lit, (3) The bale chute no markings and was painted matt grey: The manufacturers state in their handbook that the chute should be stored in the up position for travel on roads This may explain why there is no marking but relies on the driver adhering to that instruction.
(4) Given the potential for obstructing the highway, all the more So as the manufacturer's instructions appear to be not followed, bale chutes should be clearly marked so that anyone approaching side on, or night; as the deceased's husband was, should be able to see it,
Sent To
- AGCO Ltd
Response Status
Linked responses
0 of 1
56-Day Deadline
26 May 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 19"h September 2012 opened an Inquest into the death of Valerie Anne HANCOX aged 67 years, adjourned that inquest under the then Coroners Act 1988 await the conclusion of criminal proceedings taken provisions to had been against the driver of a tractor which towing a baler; Those criminal proceedings concluded at the Crown Court at Shrewsbury on the 24" February 2014 when the driver concernedhwas causing death by careless driving and was sentenced_ Following convicted of conclusion of the criminal proceedings was satisfied that the notification of the deceased came by her death had been established circumstances as to how and did not resume the Inquest. have notified the Registrar accordingly. was though notified of concerns by the tovestigating officer as to the lack of markings on the baler which may havecontributee to the collision and having considered those concerns consider that a formal required with a view to preventing future deaths: report is
Circumstances of the Death
On the 14" September 2012 on the AS at Burlington, Shifnal, Shropshire a collision Dccurred between 2 vehicles, a motor car driven by the husband of the deceased and Fendt tractor towing a Massey Ferguson 2190 baler: The collision occurred hours of darkness and lighting would have been required The during the by the defendant pulled off the A5 at tractor and baler driven Burlington where he intended to turn left off the road and into field to continue baling: As he pulled the large combination of equipment off the road he Was faced with 2 gates The 1"nearest the road being open but the 2"d was closed and opening towards him: At this point the and the baler, in particular the chute, was left blocking the tractor was stopped The car driver was completely unaware of the oncoming cars carriageway: blockage. He did not see the bale chute prior to the collision and his wife died from the injuries sustained,
Action Should Be Taken
In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and believe your organisation has power to take such action:
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Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.