Mr Thomas Andrew Reid · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On the 25th September 2018, I commenced an investigation into the death of Mr Thomas Andrew Reid. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 28 June 2019. The conclusion of the inquest was a short narrative conclusion of: Road Traffic Collision.

The cause of death was:

1a Traumatic Brain Injury;
1b Skull Fracture; and
1c Road Traffic Collision

i) Mr Reid was a 27 year old gentleman who was driving his motorbike along the A515 near to Sudbury in Ashbourne, with the junction of the B5033 (Cockshead Lane). During this journey he came across a queue of traffic. Mr Reid started to overtake the queue of traffic and had a road traffic collision with a tractor being driven by another. The tractor was in the process of completing the manoeuvre of turning right into the B5033.

ii) He sadly died from the injuries, at the roadside on the sustained on the 21 September 2018.

iii) It would appear that Mr Reid did not see the route marker board 155 meters from the junction which is the only advanced warning of the junction ahead. The location and scale of the sign mean that it could be obscured by passing large vehicles, such as LGV’s, especially if they are slow moving.

iv) Also that the A515 has recently been resurfaced, with central white lines and marginal white lines also having been renewed. The B5033 had not had any surface dressing applied and the white lines defining the mouth of the junction has not been renewed. The existing markings that remained were excessively worn and very feint, which made it less easy for motorists to define the mouth of the junction when travelling along the A515.

1. Evidence emerged during the inquest that there were at least two previous incidents along that part of the road. Once causing fatal injuries and one causing critical injuries. Additionally numerous other minor incidents.

2. The route marker board 155 meters from the junction, is the only advanced warning of the junction ahead. The location and scale of the sign mean that it could be obscured by passing large vehicles, such as LGV’s, especially if they are slow moving. This happens often given the presence of the junction.

3. Evidence also emerged at the inquest that Derby County Council was aware of the issue and were looking at more signage, larger signs and additional pre-warning signs. This was discussed last October at a Derbyshire County Council meeting. It was not known what, if anything, Derbyshire County Council would do about this known risk.