Investigation and inquest
On 27th May 2018 I commenced an Investigation into the death of Ryan John James WILLIAMS, aged 26 years. The Investigation concluded at the end of the Inquest on 1st November 2018. The Conclusion of the Inquest was ‘Accidental Death’ following his sustaining multiple severe traumatic injuries.
Circumstances of the death
Ryan was born on 25th April 1992 and on the evening of 26th April 2018 he went out to Stevenage, Hertfordshire, to celebrate his birthday. He returned by train to Sandy Railway Station in the early hours of 27th April 2018. At the time Sandy Station was unmanned, but it was possible for the public to gain access. About an hour after Ryan had arrived at the station he was run over by a train.
Coroner’s concerns
1. It is of concern that a member of the public was able to be on the station premises for an hour without any supervision from a member of staff.
2. It is not uncommon for members of the public to be vulnerable due to intoxication. It is a concern that if stations do have to be kept open, but unmanned, that there is no means of supervising the use of the station by the public.