Michael John Draper and Rafal Wojdyl · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On the 12th of July 2021 I commenced an investigation into the deaths of Michael John Draper, 62 years, born the 23rd of May 1959 and Rafal Wojdyl, 43 years, born the 23rd of March 1978. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on the 9th of February 2022.

The medical cause of death of Michael John Draper was:

1a) Multiple Injuries

The medical cause of death of Rafal Wojdyl was:

1a) Severe Head and Chest Traumatic Injuries

The conclusion of the investigation in relation to both deceased was Road Traffic Collision.

1) Michael John Draper and Rafal Wojdyl died in a road traffic collision which occurred on the 23rd of June 2021 on Cadishead Way, Irlam at its junction of Fairhills Road, Irlam. Mr Draper was driving a Dacia Logan vehicle and Mr Wojdyl was sat in the rear seat of the vehicle directly behind Mr Draper. The vehicle was being driven along Fairhills Road towards the junction with Cadishead Way, Irlam.

2) At the same time, a Heavy Goods Vehicle was being driven northbound along Cadishead Way towards Manchester and a Citroen Berlingo was travelling in the opposite direction along Cadishead Way intending to turn right into Fairhills Road, Irlam.

3) At the junction Mr Draper, without reason, pulled out of Fairhills Road into Cadishead Way directly into the path of the Heavy Goods Vehicle and there was a collision and as the collision developed Mr Draper’s vehicle was pushed back by the Heavy Goods vehicle causing a further collision between Mr Draper’s vehicle and the Citroen Berlingo.

4) Both deceased sustained injuries in the collision and they were taken to the Salford Royal Hospital, where they later died from their injuries.

5) The junction of Cadishead Way with Fairhills Road, Irlam is not controlled by traffic signals and the speed limit on Cadishead Way, Irlam in the area of the junction is 50mph.

1) During the Inquest evidence was heard that:-

a) The junction is very busy allowing access to industrial and retail units, including Tesco, Lidl and Screwfix off Fairhills Road, Irlam.

b) Cadishead Way, Irlam is a very busy designated ‘A’ road, namely the A57 road, which is an access road towards Manchester in one direction and the M6 motorway in the other direction.

c) At the junction there is no footpath on one side of Cadishead Way and approaching the junction with Fairhills Road from the direction of the M6 motorway there is a bend, a bridge, trees and bushes, all of which obscure and affect the line of vision of vehicles exiting Fairhills Road into Cadishead Way, Irlam.

d) The junction of Fairhills Road with Cadishead Way, Irlam is very busy with vehicles turning into both Fairhills Road and Cadishead Way from both directions, which could cause distractions to drivers, particularly a driver exiting Fairhills Road into Cadishead Way with vehicles travelling at 50mph along Cadishead Way and the restricted view.

2) I request that you conduct a review of the following issues in relation to the junction of Fairhills Road with Cadishead Way, Irlam:

a) The layout of the junction of Fairhills Road with Cadishead Way, Irlam.

b) The speed limit of 50mph on Cadishead Way in the area of the junction with Fairhills Road, Irlam.

c) The restricted views of vehicles pulling out of Fairhills Road into Cadishead Way, Irlam, particularly caused by trees, bushes and undergrowth.

d) The provision of traffic signals at the junction of Fairhills Road with Cadishead Way, Irlam.