Kenneth (“Ken”) McCurdy and Mary (“Maida”) Brunton Cunningham McCurdy · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 7th April 2015 I commenced investigations into the death of Kenneth (“Ken”) McCurdy and Mary (“Maida”) Brunton Cunningham McCurdy. The investigations concluded at the end of the inquests, heard together, on 30th of September 2015. The conclusion of the inquest was that both Mr and Mrs McCurdy had died from 1a Multiple Traumatic Injuries. They died on the 1st of April 2015 at approximately 15.52 hours near the A66 at East Lowfield Farm, Bowes, County Durham following a road traffic collision and the conclusions were that of accidental deaths.

Mr and Mrs McCurdy were travelling eastwards in their Seat motor car towards Barnard Castle approaching the exit to Hulands Quarry on the left hand side of the dual carriageway. Mr McCurdy was driving. For reasons that could not be explained he executed a manoeuvre that took him through the gap in the central reservation designated for traffic in the opposite direction conveying to turn right across the east bound carriageway into Hulands Quarry. He collided almost instantaneously with a vehicle travelling westwards in the other carriageway. The driver of that vehicle had no chance to avoid the collision. That driver was probably driving lawfully, within the speed limit.

1. There is no signage at the gap in the central reservation for vehicles travelling west to turn right towards Hulands Quarry to indicate that it is no entry to vehicles travelling east for any form of manoeuvre.
2. There is no signage at or leading up to the said gap in the central reservation to indicate that there is a prohibition to U turns or right turns to vehicles travelling east.