Richard Stephen LITTLEWOOD · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 2nd August 2022 I commenced an investigation into the death of Richard Stephen LITTLEWOOD, aged 40 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 26th June 2023. The conclusion of the inquest was Road Traffic Incident.

Box 3 of the record of inquest read:

On 8th July 2022 Richard Stephen Littlewood was travelling on his motorcycle on the A1033. As he rounded a bend his motorcycle crossed the white line and he struck an oncoming vehicle. Mr Littlewood was conveyed to Hull Royal Infirmary with multiple traumatic injuries. He spent 3 weeks in intensive care but died on 29th July 2022, he was 40 years of age.

One of the findings of fact stated: The Forensic Collision Investigator feels, and I agree, that it was likely rider error, braking on the bend caused the motorcycle to become upright and travel in a straight direction.

Mr Littlewood’s medical cause of death was recorded as:
COD:
1a Bronchopneumonia
1b Multiple traumatic injuries
1c Road traffic incident

Mr Littlewood was travelling on his motorcycle with a friend in convoy, he has braked when taking a bend in the road causing his motorcycle to travel in a straight line and into the path of an oncoming vehicle.
He was conveyed to Hull Royal Infirmary with traumatic injuries. He died 3 weeks later 29th July 2022.

(1) Evidence was heard that, on this particular stretch/bend of the A1033, there have been 3 incidents that have occurred within a short space of time.
• A fatality leading to the death of Mr Littlewood in July 2022.
• A fatality leading to the death of another male in November 2022.
• An incident involving a farm vehicle which shed its load in late June/early July 2022 (very little details are known of this, suffice that it occurred near the location of the bend in the road where Mr Littlewood died, albeit on the opposite side).
I do acknowledge that each of these incidents are completely different scenarios.
It may be worthwhile to note that it is local road users that have been involved in all the incidents.

(2) During evidence it was heard that signage and road markings have been discussed between the police and Highways that may make the road safer. Some signage had been put in place but an assessment needs to be completed for additional road markings and the timings for this were unclear. I am aware that after every fatality in this area the police and the Highways liaise with each other over signage/road markings as a matter of course. I have concerns only regarding the fact that no timescale had been set for the assessment to take place.