Investigation and inquest
On 30 May 2018 I commenced an investigation into the death of Kendall James Chadwick aged 45 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 8 November 2018. The conclusion of the inquest was accidental death with the medical cause of death being fracture of the base of skull.
Circumstances of the death
Mr Chadwick died at the scene of a road traffic collision on the A518 at Lower Loxley on 24th May 2018. He had been riding a motorcycle and made an unsafe overtaking manoeuvre near a bend. He lost control of the bike and crashed off the road sustaining a fatal head injury.
Coroner’s concerns
The location is the bend close to the Leese Hill. I am aware of at least one other fatality at the site. There is a sign for the bend, a slow sign in the road for the bend and chevrons and marker posts at the bend. The police have not expressed any particular concerns about the safety of the bend. I should however be grateful if you could have look at the bend to see if any additional steps would be advisable—such as an illuminated sign or rumble strips. At the time of the collision the chevron boards were in a dirty condition and there may be issues about maintenance here as well.