Beryl Fricker · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On the 4th December 2018, an investigation was commenced into the death of Beryl Fricker, who was born on 4th March 1944.

The investigation concluded at the end of the Inquest on the 14th January 2019.

The Medical Cause of Death was:

Ia Head Injury

The conclusion of the Inquest was that Beryl Fricker died as a consequence of a road traffic collision.

At approximately 4.30 pm on 20th November 2018, Mrs Fricker was a pedestrian on Lake Road in Poole, walking towards Blandford Road. It was dusk, and the street lamps were unilluminated. I heard evidence that the vehicles travelling along Lake Road had their headlights illuminated. As Mrs Fricker was crossing Upwey Avenue, she was struck by a Toyota Yaris being driven by ████████ was turning right into Upwey Avenue from Lake Road. Bystander CPR was commenced and paramedics attended. Mrs Fricker was taken to Southampton Hospital where she sadly died of her injuries on 30th November 2018.

1. During the inquest, the following evidence was heard:

i. ████████ the driver of the Toyota Yaris, explained that she did not see Mrs Fricker as she turned into Upwey Avenue. She gave evidence that the street lighting at the junction is poor, which was reiterated to her by members of the public who spoke to her after the collision. In addition, I heard evidence from 2 further witnesses that the street lighting at the junction was poor. One of those witnesses was ████████ a Royal Marine Medic, who was returning home from work and drove passed the collision site. ████████ was one of the member of the public who was able to provide treatment to Mrs Fricker before the arrival of the paramedics. He was independent of all those directly involved in the collision.

2. I have concerns with regard to the following:

i. Upwey Avenue is a wide junction, with the nearest street lamps some distance from the junction itself. As a consequence the middle of the junction appears to be the least well illuminated section of that stretch of road. The surrounding area is residential and there are a number of local schools, including infant and secondary schools, so there is likely a significant number of pedestrians, cyclists and other road users travelling along Lake Road.

ii. I request that, to prevent future deaths, consideration is given to the street lighting at the junction of Lake Road and Upwey Avenue and whether improvements can be made to better illuminate the junction for all road users.