Investigation and inquest
On 24 October 2012 I commenced an investigation into the death of Mustafa Cicek, aged 36 at the time of the incident. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 15 May 2013. The conclusion of the inquest was multiple injuries following a road traffic accident.
Circumstances of the death
The road traffic collision occurred at approximately 03.55 on Sunday 21 October 2012. Mr Cicek was driving a Ford Fiesta motor car north-bound on the A21 when the vehicle left the carriageway to the nearside on a right-hand bend where it struck a fixed structure in a private garden of the property ████████.
Coroner’s concerns
(1) The bend at this particular location is a collision black spot as there have been several road traffic collisions at the location of Mr Cicek’s collision.
(2) The apparatus along the carriageway, particularly two of the chevron signs, could be improved. There are three chevron signs but only one has a yellow background. If the two chevron signs without a yellow background could have a yellow background added it would further enhance their presence on this bend.
(3) A Eucalyptus sapling has been planted on Highways Agency land between the front fence at ████████ and the edge of the carriageway. This will mature into a potential hazard and consideration should be given to its removal.
(4) Consideration should be given to painting “SLOW” in the carriageway on the approach to the bend.