Investigation and inquest
On 31st October 2013 I commenced an investigation into the death of Samuel Eric Shaw, age 70 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 21st February 2014. The conclusion of the inquest was that Samuel Eric Shaw died as a result of an accident, the medical cause of death being:-
1a Multiple Injuries
Circumstances of the death
Samuel Eric Shaw and his partner Janet Cowan were staying at Haggerston, Beal, Northumberland. On 29.10.13 Mr Shaw had travelled with ████████ by bus to Morpeth and Alnwick before returning to Haggerston at approximately 6.45 p.m. On getting off the bus both Mr Shaw and ████████ began to cross the single carriageway section of the A1 to the centre of the road when Mr Shaw was struck by an ambulance travelling southbound. Eric suffered multiple injuries due to the impact of that collision and his death was pronounced at the scene by paramedics at 7.04 p.m.
Coroner’s concerns
At Haggerston Holiday Park, adjoining the east side of the A1 trunk road there are hundreds of caravans located and several hundreds of people come to stay and visit regularly. Access from public transport is by buses which also stop at various towns and villages along the A1 Trunk road. The road is the main strategic highway route between Scotland and England. The speed limit at Haggerston is 60 miles per hour and those travelling north on buses have to set down on the west side and cross both lanes of the A1 Trunk road traffic, through an unlit area to reach Haggerston. The visibility of pedestrians on the road for drivers travelling at up to 60 mph is restricted because of the need to use dipped headlights. There is no warning sign for motorists travelling south to alert drivers of pedestrians crossing the road. There is no central refuge for pedestrians crossing the road at the crossing point.