Reverend Colin Hodge · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 26/01/2016 I commenced an investigation into the death of Reverend Colin Hodge, 76. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 20 February 2017. The conclusion of the inquest was Road Traffic Accident.

Medical cause of death – 1a Head Injury 1b Road Traffic Accident

On the 19th January 2016 Reverend Hodge was walking along the High Street in Wareham and approached the junction of Howards Lane. The pavement was in a poor state of repair and there was no clear indication where the pavement ended and the road began. A motor vehicle was indicating and was slowly making a right angled turn to its left to enter into Howards Lane. According to the evidence of witnesses it appeared that Reverend Hodge saw the motor vehicle. Findings made at the Inquest were that Reverend Hodge stumbled on the uneven surface and fell against the side of the motor vehicle. The impact caused Reverend Hodge to fall to the ground whereby he struck his head. He was taken to hospital and died on the 25th January as a result of the head injury that was inoperable.

(1) The evidence from the witnesses who were all from the Wareham area, was that the pavement and road way at the junction of the High Street and Howards Lane was in a poor state of repair.
(2) At the time of the incident, the pavement and roadway were all of one level.
(3) Evidence from the witnesses indicated that this junction was of concern for two reasons; Firstly that pedestrians would walk straight across as there was no clear boundary between the pavement and the road; Secondly, as the entrance to Howards Lane is narrow, cars would sometimes cut the corner.