Michael James Thornton
PFD Report
Historic (No Identified Response)
Ref: 2013-0170
Coroner's Concerns (AI summary)
Vehicles leaving the carriageway and landing in a rhynne leads to death by drowning; however, retaining barriers may be too costly given the extent of roadway that would need protection.
View full coroner's concerns
That I have between one and two deaths per year from vehicles leaving the carriageway and landing in a rhynne, often resulting in the death of the occupant by drowning and therefore some action should be taken tp prevent future death. Although the erection of retaining barriers along the sides of any carriageway to adjoining rhynnes might prevent future accidents, the cost would be prohibitive and well beyond resources of the County Council, given that there must be between 100 and 200 miles of roadway to be protected.
Sent To
- Somerset County Council
Response Status
Linked responses
0 of 3
56-Day Deadline
26 Sep 2013
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 13 November 2023, I commenced an investigation into the death of Michael James THORNTON deceased at 30 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the Inquest on 11 July 2013. The Conclusion of the Inquest was accidental death and the cause of death was: 1a Drowning 1b Reduced Consciousness 1c Traumatic Head Injury
2. Ethanol Ingestion
2. Ethanol Ingestion
Circumstances of the Death
The deceased was a front seat passenger of a Landrover Discovery being driven along Pill Road near Rooksbridge in the early hours of Tuesday 13 November 2012, at a speed of not more than 30 mph when the driver swerved to avoid a Roe Deer, subsequently causing the Landrover to leave the carriageway, cross a few feel of level verge and enter the adjoining rhynne, landing on its roof. The driver and the passenger in the rear seat were able to extradite themselves and shortly after pulled the deceased from the vehicle and placed him on the underside of the vehicle which was then lying between 2ft and 4ft above the water. In the present case, although the driver was above the drink driving limit for alcohol he was however a local and knew the road well and evidence was given that his driving had not been a matter of concern to two witnesses and further that Roe Deer were present in the area.
Action Should Be Taken
I therefore would like you to consider whether or not the painting of intermittent white lines on either side of the carriageway might alert the driver to more readily appreciate that he is likely to be leaving the carriageway. In view of the costs involved such markings should only take place when a carriageway is resurfaced.
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Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.