Investigation and inquest
On 31 July 2017 I commenced an investigation into the death of Sonia Elvira Stante, aged 69. The investigation concluded at the inquest on 28 November 2017. The conclusion of the inquest was Road Traffic Collision and a cause of death of multi organ failure due to ischaemic bowel (operated) as a direct result of multiple injuries.
Circumstances of the death
On 10 July 2017 Sonia Stante arrived in London for a three day trip as a part of multi country European trip which she had commenced on 30 May 2017. Ms Stante was evidenced on CCTV footage stepping off the pavement just east of the junction along Pentonville Road from Kings Cross Road into the path of a double decker bus without looking in the direction of the bus, but appearing to look across the road, not left, but diagonally.
The bus had a green light signal and was travelling in the bus lane at a speed of between 18 and 22mph, in a 30moh zone. Upon seeing Ms Stante step into the road the bus driver applied the brakes reducing his speed to 16-9mph. She made contact with the front nearside of the bus and was thrown back onto the pavement along the kerb.
She was transferred to hospital in a conscious state and had been able to tell the London Ambulance Service paramedic that she had checked the road in the wrong direction.
She deteriorated and died from her injuries on 21 July 2017 at the Royal London hospital.
Coroner’s concerns
Following the incident ████████ Traffic Management Officer undertook a review of the road traffic layout at the scene. He met with TfL on site on 16 August 2017 and a number of findings were made:
(1) No road markings indicating the direction pedestrians should look when crossing
(2) Two separate junctions at that location make that crossing confusing for pedestrians
(3) The phasing of the green man operates for each carriageway independently so causing confusion for pedestrians who may look at the wrong phasing
(4) Missing louvre on the green man on the north side of the crossing making the green man more visible to pedestrians crossing from the south
(5) With the location being close to the Eurostar Terminal there are several hotels nearby and foreign visitors may not have a full understanding if the junction.