Steven Nicholson · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On the 13th May 2015 I commenced an Investigation into the death of Steven Nicholson, DOB: 24th March 1991, aged 24 years. The Investigation concluded at the end of the Inquest on the 24th March 2016.

Mr Nicholson was the driver of a motor vehicle on the A1018 entry slip road onto the A19 Southbound Seaham, and was continuing, visibility was poor. The A1018 has no street lighting, and an area of standing water approximately 68 meters long by meters wide, had formed on the A1018 beneath the B1404 over bridge. Mr Nicholson had no prior warning of the presence of the water, lack of street lighting and weather conditions hindered his visibility. His vehicle struck the water and he lost control. A collision ensued, in which Mr Nicholson sustained fatal head injuries. The Collision Investigation and Reconstruction concluded that the water pool on the A1018 was the principle cause of the Incident.

There were no formal records of any previous incident of flooding on the A1018 within Durham County Council’s reporting system.

There was witness evidence including that of the deceased’s family of a number of previous incidents of flooding at this location.

(1) The absence of appropriate lighting on the A1018 slip road, to assist motorists in identifying and reacting to sudden unexpected hazards.

(2) The absence of appropriate signage warning motorists of the risk of flooding on the A1018 slip road.