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Investigation and inquest
On 11 October 2017 I commenced an investigation into the death of William John Hignett, aged 66. The investigation has not yet concluded and an inquest has not yet been heard, having been adjourned pending the outcome of criminal proceedings.
Circumstances of the death
On 3 October 2017 Mr Hignett was riding a motorcycle on the A556 Chester Road, Sandiway. He came into collision with a HGV. He sustained fatal injuries in the collision. The driver of the HGV was subsequently prosecuted but was acquitted.
The trial judge made comments about the location of the collision. These comments have been passed on to me by the Crown Prosecution Service and I consider it appropriate for me to bring them to your attention:
The A556 at this location is a dual carriageway with a defined central reservation. The road is unlit and is subject to the national speed limit of 70 mph for a car/motorcycle. The collision occurred during the hours of darkness.
The circumstances of the collision were that the HGV had initially been travelling along the westbound carriageway of the A556 (towards Chester). Having passed beneath the overbridge of the A559 Chester Road the driver of the HGV attempted to perform a U-turn in order to head back along the A556, this time in the general direction of Manchester.
The A556 at this point has an unusual junction configuration consisting of a filter lane and break in the central median to the offside of the eastbound carriageway, specifically designed for the sole purpose of performing U-turns.
The driver of the HGV entered this filter lane and began to perform his U-turn as planned. Having committed to the turn, he moved out of the filter lane and began to enter the eastbound (Manchester bound) carriageway. His vehicle was too long and the turning circle inadequate to enable him to turn his HGV in one fluid manoeuvre. It was therefore necessary for him to ‘shunt’ his HGV backwards and then forwards again to complete the turn.
This U-turn placed him in the Manchester bound carriageway of the A556 for a period of around 11 seconds, with traffic legitimately approaching at 70 mph. For much of that time the nearside of the HGV was presented to oncoming traffic.
In that period of time Mr Hignett's motorcycle travelling along the Manchester bound carriageway, and being ridden properly, collided with the near side of the HGV causing fatal injuries to Mr Hignett.
The nearside of the HGV was illuminated to the by three orange ‘marker lights’. Whilst fully compliant with law, in turning where it did, and with the illumination on the side of the HGV, the combination of the turn and the dark national speed limit road are relevant factors.
Coroner’s concerns
1. The configuration and positioning of the junction;
2. The street lighting at the scene;
3. The surrounding vegetation, which may have affected visibility;
4. The current applicable speed limit.
Information checked against the published report and official responses