Adam Wilcox · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 13 March 2019 an investigation was commenced into the death of Adam Wilcox, DOB: 08/02/1964. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 20 November 2019. The conclusion of the inquest was that Mr Wilcox died as a result of a traumatic head injury due to a road traffic accident.

At approximately 7.40 am on 7 March 2019, the Deceased was walking east from the White Swan pub car park West End on the south side of the A27 Mansbridge Road with a work colleague, en route to a building site at that location. The pair attempted to cross the carriageway to the northern side, to continue their east bound journey when the footpath on the southern side of the road came to an end. The traffic on the road was stationary at the time due to temporary traffic lights and the pair climbed over a low-level ARMCO barrier, dividing the footpath from the carriageway. They entered the east bound carriageway and passed in front of a stationary minibus. As the height of the vehicle prevented any line of sight for them to oncoming eastbound traffic, the evidence established that on emerging from the front of the vehicle into the eastbound carriageway, the deceased looked (left) to the westbound carriageway for opposing oncoming traffic but failed to appreciate the approach of a motorcycle overtaking the stationary traffic in the eastbound carriageway (to his right). Despite a brief effort by his colleague to prevent his forward movement, the Deceased stepped into the path of the oncoming motorcycle whereupon he was struck by the bike and spun into the opposite carriageway. He fell heavily, striking his head on the tarmac. The timescale involved amounted to no more than a second, giving no time for the rider to appreciate the imminent danger and to take avoiding action. The Deceased was conveyed to hospital, but despite significant clinical efforts to save his life, his injuries were determined too catastrophic and he died as a result of the injuries he sustained.

(1) The A27 Mansbridge Road at the stretch of carriageway from well before the White Swan pub to beyond the scene of this incident (as far as Gaters Hill) does not provide any form of (safe) pedestrian or cycle crossing or any warnings to motorists that pedestrians or cyclist are crossing along its length.
(2) For pedestrians walking (or cyclists not on the carriageway heading) east on the southern side, the only option to travel beyond the scene of this incident is on the northern side of the A27 carriageway. As such, anyone who has not sought to cross the carriageway at a much earlier juncture is either forced to retrace their steps to find another point to cross or (as is more likely) to attempt to cross the carriageway once the path way runs out, where it tapers and stops at the metal barriers and at its junction with the Itchen Navigation. In either event, neither pedestrians nor cyclists have a defined or safe means by which to cross the carriageway and no warnings are given to motorists that they may do so.
(3) The A27 Mansbridge Road is a busy, popular and major thoroughfare, running east-west and south of and parallel to the M27. As such it presents an increased risk to pedestrians and cyclists alike.
(4) I am advised by the Roads Policing Unit that during their visit to the scene (in the conduct of the forensic examination for this inquest) they themselves saw several pedestrians and cyclists crossing the road, at either end, often climbing the metal barrier where the pavement ended.
(5) I am advised that in the past 5 years there have been 15 collisions on the A27 between Itchen Side Close and Allington Lane, of which 5 were classed as serious collisions and 10 classed as slight, with 11 occurring within daylight hours. 2 specific incidents (excluding this fatality) involved pedestrians being struck by vehicles.