Josie Archer-Smith · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 6th November 2020 Area Coroner Rina Patel commenced an investigation into the death of Josie Archer-Smith, aged 22. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on the 6th July 2021. The conclusion of the inquest was that the deceased Josie Archer-Smith died as a result of a road traffic collision.

The medical cause of death was recorded as:
1a Traumatic Brain Injury and Skull Fracture
1b Road Traffic Collision

The deceased Josie Archer-Smith died on 31/10/2020 on the M20 London bound carriageway between junctions 5 and 6 as a result of traumatic injuries sustained when the vehicle in which she was travelling as a front seat passenger slid out of control and struck a stationary vehicle on the passenger side.

The M20, a dual lane motorway, at the location where the collision took place has had a number of collisions occur which appear to have been caused by water/aquaplaning.

Investigating police from the Serious Collisions Investigation unit commented that they are aware that this location is a problem in heavy weather and have attended collisions at this location in the past.

The crash location is at the bottom of an incline on the M20 motorway which normally would not cause an issue, however the road also has a camber which causes water to run across the carriageway rather than draining into either the central reservation of the drain on the hard shoulder.

The police officer believes that it is when this heavy water is running across the carriageway that there is an issue which does require further investigation as to any remedial works that can be completed to prevent any further fatal/serious injury collisions.