Mrs Tipper · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On the 5 February 2018, I commenced an investigation into the death of Mrs Tipper. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 19 September 2018. The conclusion of the inquest was a short form conclusion of: Road Traffic Collision

The cause of death was:

1a Multiple Injuries
b Road Traffic Collision
c

i) At 17:03 hours on Monday 22nd January 2018 a fatal road traffic collision occurred on the A4030 Bearwood Road, Bearwood, Birmingham.

ii) The sun had set, light was fading, but it was dry and visibility was good.

iii) A West Midlands Travel Volvo double decked bus, registered number BU51 RVM, was being driven in heavy traffic in a southerly direction along Bearwood Road by ████████ towards the A456 Hagley Road.

iv) The bus stopped near to the junction with Poplar Road, which was ahead and to its relative nearside.

v) Mrs Tipper was crossing across the mouth of the junction of Poplar Road in a southerly direction, heading towards the carriageway of Bearwood Road.

vi) It appears that Mrs Tipper was most likely in the blind spot of the nearside “A” pillar of the bus, as the traffic and bus have started to move.

vii) Evidence suggests that as the bus continued to move forward and is likely to have been partially available to be seen in close relative proximity to the nearside “A” pillar of the bus.

viii) The bus driver would only have been able to see her in his peripheral vision as they both moved in a southerly direction, unless he had specifically looked in the region of the nearside “A” pillar.

ix) Evidence from witnesses suggests that once the bus had begun moving forward, the driver’s focus was directed forward.

x) Mrs Tipper then collides with the bus and the nearside wheels of the bus have travelled over her legs causing severe crush injuries.

xi) The bus was travelling at a speed of around 6 mph.

xii) The driver has continued along Bearwood Road before coming to a halt at traffic lights with the A456 Hagley Road. Whilst stationary, members of the public have informed him there has been a collision.

xiii) Sadly, Mrs Tipper later died in hospital as a result of the injuries she sustained.

1. Evidence emerged during the inquest that the driver either through training or discussion with work colleagues had developed a practice of only focussing directly ahead with minimal eye contact with other drivers when emerging from junctions. It appears this was done so as not to give any other drivers an indication to pull out in front of his bus.