Coroner raises safety concerns after Warboys road deaths
Senior Coroner David Hemming is calling for action on speed limits, road inspections, and safety measures following a car accident which killed a grandmother, daughter and unborn baby in 2020
A coroner says immediate action is needed to prevent further fatalities on a road in Cambridgeshire following the deaths of a mother and daughter in a car accident.
David Heming, Senior Coroner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, has issued a prevention of future deaths report highlighting several safety concerns after an inquest into the deaths of Jennifer Bunyan, 24, her mother Marion Bunyan, 54, and her unborn daughter Erin Marion Chatten.
The inquest found that Jennifer and Marion Bunyan died on June 7, 2020, when their vehicle left the carriageway and ended up in a waterway adjacent to Puddock Road, Warboys.
The car rolled onto its roof and became partially submerged, leading to their drowning. Jennifer was 30 weeks pregnant at the time, and her unborn child also died.
Heming's report outlines specific concerns:
For Cambridgeshire County Council
The report questions the appropriateness of the 60 mph speed limit on this section of road, given the road’s condition. The charity BRAKE has noted that rural roads with such speed limits are often unsafe. The coroner’s report calls for a review and potential reduction of the speed limit to improve safety.
Heming also raises concerns about the thoroughness of road inspections. He believes that inspections may not adequately address the degradation of the road surface, which could contribute to vehicle loss of control.
In addition, the report highlights that despite previous fatalities in the area, no effective measures, such as barriers, have been implemented to prevent vehicles from entering the waterway. Immediate action to address this issue is urged.
Further, there are worries about the timely repair of road damage and the impact of vehicle weight on road conditions. Heming emphasises the need for prompt and effective repairs to prevent accidents.
Lastly, the report questions whether the Fenland Road Safety Campaign's recommendations have been acted upon promptly, despite their efforts to raise awareness about road dangers.
For the Secretary of State for Transport
The report suggests that delays in funding for high-risk roads may have hindered the implementation of necessary safety improvements. Heming proposes the establishment of a central government fund to expedite repairs at such sites.
Additionally, the report recommends exploring collaboration with software companies to include warnings on satellite navigation systems for roads with high accident risks. This would help inform drivers unfamiliar with the area about potential dangers.
The organisations addressed in the report are required to respond by September 20, 2024, detailing actions taken or proposed. If no action is planned, they must explain the reasons.
The report will be shared with various interested parties, including the Chief Coroner, the Fenland Road Safety Campaign, BRAKE, and ROSPA.