Investigation and inquest
On 11th July 2019 I commenced an investigation into the death of Daniel Waite, aged 43. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on the 6th October 2020. The conclusion of the inquest was that the deceased Daniel Waite died as a result of a road traffic collision.
The medical cause of death was recorded as:
1a Multiple injuries
b
c
II
Circumstances of the death
The deceased Daniel Waite was riding a pedal cycle at approximately 19:55 hours on a dry clear sunny day on the A20 Ashford Road, Hollingbourne, Kent. He had approached a stationary convoy of eight tipper trucks parked and awaiting deployment and for reasons unknown he has collided with the rear of the last tipper truck and as a result sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene on the 3 July 2019.
Coroner’s concerns
The A20 Ashford Road is a four lane dual carriageway which is aligned approximately east to west. The collision occurred on the east to west direction leading towards the M20 Motorway. At the collision site lane separation is by way of intermittent white painted lines. The edges of the carriageway are denoted by a solid edge of carriageway lines. The road at the collision site is subject to the national speed limit.
(1) The A20 Ashford Road has no parking restrictions in force for this stretch of road. A total of 8 tipper lorries had been directed to stop on the A20 Ashford Road, Hollingbourne, close to the Mercure Hotel to await the deployment of motorway works on the M20 Motorway. The evidence at the inquest revealed that there was no requirement for coning or signage that may have alerted other road users to their presence.
(2) There is not at present any restriction to parking or a requirement for signage on this section of the road such as a clearway and this is of particular concern.