Christian Murray Cecil Devereux · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 9th May 2013 I commenced an investigation into the death of Christian Murray Cecil Devereux, aged 50. The investigation concluded at the end of the Inquest on 29th April 2014. The conclusion of the inquest was:

The Cause of death was:

1.a. Head injury consistent with being sustained in a road traffic collision

The Conclusion was:

Accidental death as a result of a motor collision.

On the 5th May 2013 Mr Devereux was driving his Mini Cooper S motor car in a race at the Donington circuit in Leicestershire when his car was in a frontal collision with a Ford Mustang. As a result of the collision Mr Devereux suffered head injuries from which he died at the scene.

The evidence of the Consultant Forensic Pathologist was that Mr Devereux had suffered (amongst other injuries):

a) A linear skull fracture across the base of the skull which had almost connected to become circumferential.
b) A fracture of the left transverse process of the lower cervical spine over the course of the left vertebral artery
c) The skull fracture and associated bleeding over the base of the skull will have resulted in sudden disruption of electrical signals from the brain to the rest of the body. This is likely to have resulted in almost instantaneous death.

Mr Devereux was wearing a full racing harness and a helmet, and was sitting in an approved racing seat, which had head height “wings” to reduce sideways head movement.

There was little internal intrusion of damage into the car itself. The damage to the Mini was to the nearside front.

The collision was investigated by the police and your technical Director, ████████ who also came to the Inquest on the 29th April 2014 to give evidence.

(1) During the collision between the Mini and the Mustang Mr Devereux would have suffered a major movement of his head in a forwards and backwards motion.

(2) It is likely that his head and neck would have suffered an extension and a turning motion as his car spun

(3) He was wearing a helmet which would have added at least 2 kilo’s to the weight of his head

(4) The fracture of the skull and his neck had resulted from this movement of his head during the course of the collision.

(5) He was not wearing a HAN’s type device, and had he been wearing one it is likely that it would have prevented or reduced the injury he received.

(6) It was estimated by the witnesses that approximately 50% of drivers in that particular race were wearing HAN’s type devices.

(7) The cost of buying a HAN’s type device is approximately £200, which is considerably less than the cost of a helmet, and a small amount compared with the cost of entering that specific race.

(8) The advantages of wearing the HAN’s type device considerably outweigh the disadvantages.