Jennifer Ann DYER · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 01 April 2021 I commenced an investigation into the death of Jennifer Ann DYER aged 36. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 12 May 2022. The conclusion of the inquest was that:

This young lady and mother lost her life due to a collision between her bicycle and a van. That collision was solely and proximately caused by a defective pothole, 58mm deep, in the road surface on the B2188, Cherry, Gardens Hill, Groombridge. Her death was avoidable.

This young woman was catapulted from her bicycle when it hit a pothole, camouflaged by dappled sunlight and tree branch shadows. The pothole was 0.45m by 0.80m at its widest and broadest, and 5.8cm at its deepest point. The pothole evidenced a history of failed repairs since late 2019, with numerous concerns being raised about the continuing danger that it posed to road users, especially motorbikes and bicycles. The Sussex Police Forensic Reconstruction Report FC/01/12/21 concluded that it was highly likely that the collision was as a result of the defect to the road, and the pothole specifically.

Under the East Sussex Highway Asset Inspection Manual, this pothole fell within the definition of Cat 3 - LOW for risk and remedial works. The definition is “Greater than 40mm and less than 59mm deep and at least 300mm in all directions”. Clearly, this pothole was the proximate cause of the death of a young woman, and the categorisation of potholes in East Sussex requires significant review, to prevent future avoidable deaths within the County.