Richard Geoffrey Phillips · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On the 2nd January 2018, an investigation was commenced into the death of Richard Geoffrey Phillips, born on the 3rd April 1982.

The investigation concluded at the end of the Inquest on the 14th May 2019.

The Medical Cause of Death was:

1a Multiple Injuries

The conclusion of the Inquest was Road Traffic Collision.

On the 19/12/17 at approximately 8.30am Mr Phillips was riding his motorcycle along the B3091 in a north easterly direction from Sturminster Newton to Shaftesbury. He had passed Guys Marsh and was approaching an area locally known as St James’ Common. The weather conditions were cold and icy. A car was approaching from the opposite direction along the single carriageway. The direction of travel of the car involved a descent. The vehicle has moved into the opposite carriageway and struck Mr Phillips broadside knocking him from his motorcycle with force. Mr Phillips was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

1. During the inquest evidence was heard that:
a) There was water running down the descent which had frozen over.

b) The direction of travel of the running water was down the nearside of the south westerly side of the B3091, across both sides of the carriageway then down the nearside of the north easterly side of the carriageway.

c) Drivers of motor vehicles who use this route regularly reported the existence of standing/hanging water in this area being present for months prior to the accident. Those who attended the scene reported finding it difficult to remain upright when walking over the frozen stretch of road.

d) Dorset Police provided a Collision Investigation Report which concluded that the driver of the motor car lost control of the car due to the presence of the ice on the road surface. Mr Phillips was positioned correctly in the road; was driving in a manner appropriate for the road conditions; was wearing a helmet and appropriate clothing. There were no mechanical defects to either vehicle.

e) Dorset Police reported that there had been 2 road traffic collisions reported at this location in January 2015 (i.e. a similar time of the year to this incident)

2. I have concerns with regard to the following:
a) The collision investigation officer from Dorset Police expressed concern in relation to the poor drainage of surface water on this particular stretch of road. My attention was drawn to four draining gullies within 150 metres of the scene, two on each side of the road. As the water flows down the southbound side of the road it does not flow into the gulley but due to the camber of the road the water crosses over the centre of the road and flows down the centre of the road before flowing on to the opposite carriageway. On the nearside of the opposite carriageway is another drainage gulley which contains a gridded metal drain which was (at the time) largely obscured and overgrown by grass. The water once again bypasses this gulley. It is this surface water which has frozen at the time of the accident. At least 2 of the gullies which could drain the water away from the carriageway appear redundant. The positioning of these gullies are questionable.

b) Maintenance of the road and its verges.