Adam David Simms · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 25 May 2021 I commenced an investigation into the death of Adam David Simms (dob 07/09/02). The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 7 October 2022. The conclusion of the inquest was that Mr Simms died as a consequence of multiple injuries sustained in a road traffic collision which occurred on 21 May 2021. The formal conclusion was Road Traffic Collision.

On 21 May 2021 at around 09.00 a.m. Mr Simms was the driver and sole occupant of his Hyundai i30 motor car ████████ which was travelling east out of Scunthorpe on the A18 road known locally as Mortal Ash Hill. The road comprised a section of dual carriageway which climbed a slight uphill gradient before transitioning into a single carriageway and commencing a slight downhill gradient. It had been raining heavily for some time. At the point at which the dual carriageway ended Mr Simms’ vehicle struck a large patch of water lying upon the carriageway. As a result of that hazard, he lost control of his vehicle and crossed onto the west bound carriageway where he collided with an oncoming lorry, sustaining fatal injuries. It was likely that Mr Simms was travelling too quickly for the weather conditions. Further, his vehicle was found to have insufficient tread to the offside front tyre. Those were contributory factors to his loss of control.

(1) I received evidence regarding the system of inspection utilised to identify and remedy any blocked drainage gullies. Two blocked gullies were found at the site of the accumulation of water upon the carriageway notwithstanding that an inspection undertaken only four days previously on 17 May 2021 had not identified those defects. They had not been included in cleansing works undertaken on 8 April 2022.

(2) The evidence suggested that at around the point at which Mr Simms lost control of his motor car there were two separate patches of standing water upon the carriageway. They were said to be 62m in length and 36m in length respectively. They occupied the majority of the width of the Eastbound carriageway. Water was noted to a depth of between 10 and 15mm. There was plainly a significant quantity of standing water which posed a serious hazard to road users.

(3) Whilst the evidence I received did not establish on balance of probabilities that those blocked gullies were the cause of the patches of water described above, no alternative explanation for such a significant accumulation of water was provided by the evidence. It had plainly rained heavily, although there was no evidence to suggest an exceptional downpour had occurred.

(4) The absence of any explanation for this accumulation, and the consequential absence of any remedial action undertaken to prevent a repetition of these events gives rise to a concern that the highway at that location remains at risk of water ingress (from whatever source) unless and until the cause can be established and appropriate remedial action taken.