Young sailors died outside RNAS Culdrose after one lost control of car at speed
Two young sailors died after one of them lost control of his car at speed on a sweeping bend and crossed the road side-on into the path of an oncoming vehicle. Callum ‘Gilly’ Gilbert, 23, and Daniel ‘Coxy’ Cox, 24, were both leading air engineering technicians (LAET) based at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose[1].
They died in the collision on the A3083 outside the base on December 7 last year when Mr Gilbert’s Ford Fiesta ST crashed into a BMW travelling in the opposite direction. Mr Cox was a passenger in Mr Gilbert’s vehicle at the time. Mr Gilbert’s vehicle was believed to have been travelling over the 60mph speed limit prior to the crash.
An inquest into the deaths of Mr Gilbert, from Helston[2], and Mr Cox, from Chichester, was held in Truro[3] and looked into events surrounding the crash. Post-mortem examinations showed that both men died from severe blunt force trauma. A toxicology report revealed that Mr Gilbert, the driver of the vehicle, had no alcohol or drugs in his system.
Charles Williams was driving along the road that night and witnessed Mr Gilbert’s driving in the build-up to the crash. In a statement he told the inquest that he had picked his son up from rugby in Penryn[4] and they were making their way home to Manaccan.
Mr Williams said they neared the Cottage Hospital roundabout at about 9pm and could see a car 100 yards or so in front. Mr Williams said: “It was swerving across the road and remaining in its lane, but only just.”
Mr Williams described the car moving from side to side as if to warm the tyres up to grip better. He added: “I watched the car in front making swerving movements for a few seconds before it drove off. It accelerated very quickly and just sped off.”
The next witness was aircraft engineer Mark Wilson, the driver of the BMW that was involved in the collision. Mr Wilson had just finished work and was setting off for home in St Ives[5].
He left the camp and describes heading towards Sainsbury’s roundabout when he saw “a blob” heading towards him. The blob was the car being driver by Mr Gibert that was sideways on and moving into Mr Wilson’s lane. As a result of it being sideways on Mr Wilson couldn’t see any headlights. Mr Wilson said: “It came right at me so I just braced for impact. I remember seeing the front passenger leaning away from me.”
Mr Wilson, who briefly lost consciousness during the crash, went on to speak about how he feared he might die as blood poured from him, he felt “unbearable pain” and struggled to breathe. Mr Wilson was taken to hospital with a broken wrist but luckily was able to be discharged the next morning. He added: “From seeing the car coming towards me to the collision was just a few seconds leaving me no time to react.”
The inquest was then showed terrifying dashcam footage showing Mr Gilbert’s Ford Fiesta ST side on, crossing the lane and hurtling towards Mr Wilson. The inquest then heard that no vehicle involved in the collision had any mechanical faults.
The vehicle examination gave the speed of Mr Gilbert’s car at the point of impact as 56mph and confirmed that his back tyres were underinflated and front less so but still underinflated. The PSIs probably wouldn’t be noticeable when “normal driving”, it was said. Everybody involved was wearing seatbelts at the time.
A journey report obtained from the Fiesta’s infotainment system detailed how the vehicle had been to Hayle[6] McDonald’s before making its way back to RNAS Culdrose. Just prior to the accident it reached a maximum speed of 90.7mph, the inquest hearing the difference between that number and the point of impact figure could have been due to a rapid deceleration as the car moved sideways.
Next to give evidence was forensic collision investigator Andrew Fletcher. Mr Fletcher gave a detailed report that said the Fiesta was out of control, likely leading to Mr Gilbert over-steering and sending the vehicle sideways. Mr Fletcher said that a variety of factors could have caused the loss of control, including speed, the manner of driving, in car distraction, a sneezing fit or taking evasive action from animals[7] in the road.
Mr Fletcher said that Mr Gilbert lost control on the left bend and then likely over-corrected, but “the exact reasons why (for the initial loss of control) remain unknown”. Mr Gilbert did say that underinflated tyres could have affected the friction of the wheels and how the car reacted to the driving at the time.
Senior coroner for Cornwall[8] Andrew Cox went through the evidence heard in the inquest, reiterating that Mr Gilbert’s Fiesta could have hit speeds of 90.7mph in a 60 limit. He spoke of how the under-inflated tyres may not have been noticeable if driven at a regular speed, but could play a part should excessive speed test the limits of friction.
Mr Cox said: “It seems to me that it is far more likely than not that this was a case of excessive speed on the part of Mr Gilbert. Mr Wilson had the misfortune of being in the wrong place at the wrong time and I can’t see anything he could have done to avoid the collision. He had virtually no time to react.” Mr Cox said he believed that Mr Gilbert lost control of the car, sensed it and tried to recover the situation, but in doing so oversteered and caused his car to rotate in the opposite direction and eventually cross into the path of Mr Wilson.
Mr Cox concluded that both Mr Gilbert and Mr Cox died as a result of road traffic collision and he extended his condolences to their families.
Tributes to Callum Gilbert and Daniel Cox
Following the accident extensive tributes were paid to the two young men.
They served with 820 Naval Air Squadron, and the commanding officer of RNAS Culdrose[9], Captain Stuart Irwin, said: “We are all deeply saddened by the deaths of two of our people. First and foremost, my heartfelt condolences go to the families and loved ones who have been affected by this tragic event.
“These were two bright young aircraft engineers who had already achieved so much and served with distinction. At 820 Naval Air Squadron, across RNAS Culdrose, and in the wider community here in west Cornwall – we are all coming to terms with their loss.”
LAET Gilbert had served with the 820 Naval Air Squadron previously as an able rating. Both he and LAET Cox had completed their training to leading hand earlier this year, also at RNAS Culdrose on the training unit 824 Naval Air Squadron.
As leading air engineers, they were part of the close-knit team which maintains and repairs the squadron’s Merlin Mk2 helicopters. Warrant Officer Steven Hughes, the senior maintenance rating on 820 Naval Air Squadron, said their loss had been keenly felt by all on the squadron, but particularly among the engineers.
He said: “We are a close team. These are people that all share so much. We don’t just work together – we deploy together, we eat together, we share a room together and we see the world together.”
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Paying tribute to LAET Gilbert, he added: “It’s the grin I remember. He had good manners too. That goes a long way. He had the ability to cheer everyone up with a look. Even on a cold night, coming off the deck of Queen Elizabeth, he always had a twinkle in his eye.”
A close friend of three years, LAET Ethan Fahy said of LAET Gilbert: “He was a lovely, lovely guy. He had a heart of gold. He’d always do anything for you.”
LAET Devann Solomon added: “Gilly was always so happy. Even just walking past him, he’d make you smile.”
LAET Sam Edgerton said: “He was loyal to his friends and the people he worked with. We used to go out and do things around Cornwall[11]. He used to do a bit of surfing and he spent a lot of time in the gym. He was trying to convert me to play golf. He was just a nice, pleasant guy.”
Warrant Officer Hughes praised LAET Cox for his commitment to his work, saying: “He loved his family and he loved his work. He was so enthusiastic. That’s my lasting memory of him.
“Every morning he’d be in my office asking, ‘what time are we doing rounds?’ and I’d think, ‘I haven’t even had a cup of tea yet and he wants to get out and start work’.”
LAET Tom Bunt said LAET Cox was passionate about mechanics and cars. He said: “I’ve never known a bloke who could strip an engine like him. He could take it apart and he knew where every nut and bolt went.
“He loved cars and was always working on them. He’d spent 18 months designing and developing a spoiler from scratch, but he never got to fit it. That’s what gets me, he never had the chance to fit it.”
LAET Devann Solomon added: “Coxy was really lovely, always smiling, professional and friendly. He was always talking about his family and used to do school runs for his little sisters. It was a pleasure to work with him.”
LAET Sam Edgerton said: “When I first met Coxy he was confident without having to say anything; I assumed he was ahead of me by years. He was naturally gifted at engineering and was always forthcoming with helping us out. You rely on each other a lot and the loss of what Coxy used to bring is felt heavily.”
A close friend of four years, LAET Adam Walker, said of LAET Cox: “Coxy was the most selfless and caring person I have met in my life; he always put family and friends first. The way he approached life with positive energy and humour, I believe everyone who knew him will carry that through. He will always be loved and missed.”
LAET Gilbert’s family paid tribute by saying: “Callum was a dearly loved son, grandson, nephew, brother to Megan and partner to Ellie. As a family, we will all miss him deeply and no words come close to explain our grief of losing him. We have so many fond memories which we will now hold onto closely.
“Callum was a truly remarkable, cheerful, kind, caring, thoughtful, talented and loving young man. He had so much heart and would lighten any room with his smile, his presence and sense of humour. We shall all miss him enormously and shall never ever forget him.
“We will all love and miss you forever Callum – you’re one in a million, sleep tightly.”
LAET Cox’s family said: “Dan was an outstanding son, brother, grandson, uncle, nephew and cousin who was devoted to his family. Over his years living in the Felpham, Middleton and Chichester areas we have all been exceptionally proud of the endless talents he displayed, his many achievements and positive attitude to life.
“He was a talented musician, keen outdoorsman, swimmer and cliff-jumper, a qualified engineer and avid car enthusiast. He had a ‘can do’ attitude to all physical and technical challenges, trying his utmost and always achieving. He studied at Bishop Tufnell, Felpham Community College, Chichester College and Shoreham Technical College.
“All levels of the local scouting association were hugely instrumental in his outdoor, sporting and hiking achievements. He particularly loved water sports and mountain biking. Having completed his bronze and silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards. Sadly, he was only the residential section away from completing his gold.
“Like many local students with an affinity for the sea and swimming, he was employed as a part-time lifeguard at Butlin’s and Arun Leisure Centre. He then worked briefly for PMA as a driver before finally joining the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy.
“He graduated from HMS Raleigh in 2019 and subsequently HMS Sultan and HMS Collingwood. His wide circle of amazing, young friends are all shocked at this news and much suffering his loss. Our special thanks must go out to the Royal Navy for their unbounded support and care given to our family at this traumatic time.
“Like his, our lives have been shattered and will never be the same again. Dan was a truly special multi-talented young man, taken from us far too soon, both loved and deeply missed by so many.”
References
- ^ Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose (www.cornwalllive.com)
- ^ Helston (www.cornwalllive.com)
- ^ Truro (www.cornwalllive.com)
- ^ Penryn (www.cornwalllive.com)
- ^ St Ives (www.cornwalllive.com)
- ^ Hayle (www.cornwalllive.com)
- ^ animals (www.cornwalllive.com)
- ^ Cornwall (www.cornwalllive.com)
- ^ RNAS Culdrose (www.cornwalllive.com)
- ^ Choose what you want here (www.cornwalllive.com)
- ^ Cornwall (www.cornwalllive.com)