Caitlin Lydia Huddleston and Skye Olivia Mitchell · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 02/08/2017 I commenced an investigation into the deaths of Caitlin Lydia Huddleston and Skye Olivia Mitchell. The investigations concluded at the end of the inquests on the 21st September 2018. The essence of the two conclusions given at the end of the two inquests was that on the 14 July 2017 Caitlin Huddleston was the front seat passenger in a car being driven by Skye Mitchell on the A595 near Bootle Cumbria. The driver lost control on a bend on the wet road, moving across the road into the path of an oncoming van. Both Ms Huddleston and Ms Mitchell died at the scene from the injuries they received in the collision. Paramedics confirmed their deaths.
The cause of death in both cases was 1.a. Multiple Injuries.
The Conclusion in both cases was of “Death as a result of injuries sustained in a Road Traffic Collision”

On the 14 July 2017 Caitlin Huddleston was with friends Skye Mitchell and ████████, all of whom were 18 years of age, travelling in a Toyota Yaris motor car on the A595 northbound from Millom in Cumbria to a restaurant at Gosforth, Cumbria.
Skye was driving the car which was owned by her father. Caitlin was the front seat passenger, and ████████ was in the rear seat. The road was wet from rain and the vehicle has failed to negotiate a left hand bend. Skye has lost control moved initially to the left and then over-corrected and slewed sideways to the right, crossing the opposite carriageway and colliding with a white van being driven in the opposite direction, by Patrick Troll.
The nearside of the Toyota was “t-boned” by the front of the white van causing significant intrusion into the passenger side of the Toyota.
Caitlin was the front seat passenger and trapped in the vehicle. She was given CPR but was pronounced dead at the scene.
Skye was taken from the drivers seat by members of the public who gave CPR in an attempt to resuscitate her however Skye was also pronounced dead at the scene.
████████ was the rear seat passenger and was extracted from the vehicle suffering life changing injuries.
The van driver, ████████ also received life changing injuries.
Caitlin, Skye and ████████ were all wearing seat belts. ████████ was not.
Neither driver, nor passengers, had consumed any alcohol.
Skye had passed her driving test on the 15 March 2017, just 4 months before the collision, and was described by her mother as being a nervous driver who panicked some times.
The evidence from the police collision investigator was that it was likely that the loss of control on the bend was as a result of the bend being taken too quickly in the wet conditions, which may have arisen from her lack of experience as a new driver.

(1) That Skye was a driver with only 4 months driving experience after passing her driving test;
(2) That she was accompanied by 2 friends of similar age in the car;
(3) The circumstances of the loss of control are likely to be a direct result of the inexperience of the driver;
(4) Whilst we do not know this is the case it is likely that Skye Catlin and ████████ would be having discussions in the car at the time, and these may have distracted Skye when driving;
(5) The carrying of passengers in the car increases the likelihood of death or injury not only to the driver but also to the passengers being carried, therefore multiplies the risk.