Wilfred Roy Breakell · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 26 May 2020 I commenced an investigation into the death of Wilfred Roy Breakell.
The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 12 May 2021.
The conclusion of the inquest was Accident
1a Multiple Fractures of Cervical Spine
1b Fall from a Bicycle
1c
II

Wilfred Roy Breakell died at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital on 18th May 2020 from multiple fractures of his cervical spine sustained on 17th May 2020 when he fell into a storm drain at Blackwater Junction, Hurn whilst riding his bicycle. The incident occurred at the northbound exit, which, at the time, had recently been refurbished. There was no barrier between the highway and the storm drain, which is lined with concrete paving slabs. Mr Breakell appears to have fallen into the storm drain and landed on one of the concrete paving slabs, resulting in the significant injuries that led to his death.

(1) Although there is now wooden fencing that runs from the end of the paved footpath in a northerly direction (adjacent to the pedestrian crossing), there is still no barrier between the highway and the storm drain where there is no paved area; that is, from the start of the exit from the A338 to the paved footpath adjacent to the pedestrian crossing. The evidence I heard at the Inquest from the investigating police officer is that cyclists use the A338 and the Blackwater Junction exit. There remains a risk that if a cyclist left the paved highway for any reason, he or she would be at risk of falling into the storm drain. In addition, if a vehicle lost control at the exit, that vehicle is at risk of leaving the highway and falling into the storm drain. A barrier between the highway and the storm drain would reduce that risk.