Charles Ernest Rayner · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 9th April 2015 I commenced an investigation into the death of Charles Ernest Rayner, born 10th July 1952. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 30th of September 2015. The conclusion of the inquest was that Mr Rayner died of multiple traumatic injuries resulting from a road crash traffic collision on the A66 trunk road in County Durham, West of Bowes near the Otter Trust turnoff on the 6th of April 2015. At about 10.00 a.m. He was overtaking vehicles on his motorcycle when he collided with a vehicle and trailer turning right at the intersection where there was no right turn slipway. The conclusion was that of accidental death.

Mr Rayner was travelling on his motor cycle in a westerly direction on a duel carriageway section of the A66 past Bowes and heading towards the Otters Trust turnoff. At the time of the collision he was probably travelling at 86 miles per hour in a 70 miles per hour limit while overtaking in the outside lane. The motor cycle was in proper working order and he was properly equipped and in all other respects acting lawfully. He may have had difficulty in seeing the brake and indicator warning lights on the vehicle and trailer he collided with as a result of the combination of sunlight reflecting off them and the effect of his motorcycle sun visor, but it was reasonable for him to have been using this. The vehicle and trailer he collided with were also travelling in a westerly direction on the A66 when the driver manoeuvred to turn right into the central reservation intending to enter the moors via a small access road, this entrance being off the eastbound carriageway opposite the Otters Trust turnoff. The driver of the vehicle and trailer was manoeuvring lawfully but it was necessary for him to reduce his speed to near standstill for the manoeuvre to be completed. This was done in the outside lane because there is no slip road/deceleration lane. Mr Rayner, travelling in the outside lane, was unable to take avoiding action because of vehicles in the inside lane. The collision ensued resulting in his death.

1) The crossover point between the Otter Trust and access road to the moors, traveling West, does not have a slip road/deceleration lane for traffic travelling west such that to carry out the turn it is necessary to reduce speed to a virtual standstill in the outside lane.

2) There is no prohibition on a right turn by way of appropriate signage.