Coroner urges National Highways to take action after man dies in M20 crash, near Swanley
A senior coroner has urged National Highways to take action after a man died in a motorway crash on the way to work. Freddie Slater was travelling coastbound in his Smart car, near Junction 1 of the M20, when it was involved in an initial collision with a blue Vauxhall Mokka in front.
The 26-year-old's dark blue vehicle was then hit in a further crash with a BMW 5-Series estate after it crossed over a grass verge onto the slip road from the M25, where it joins and merges with the M20, near the Swanley Interchange.[1] The incident unfolded at around 6.15am on Wednesday, October 16 last year.
An inquest opening in Maidstone on October 31 heard how the man was involved in the fatal road traffic collision[2] while on the way to work. Coroner Alan Blunsdon told the court Freddie's cause of death was given as hypovolemic shock and internal haemorrhage as a result of the crash. Emergency services, including police and paramedics, were called to the collision, but Freddie, of Willersley Avenue in Sidcup, died at the scene.
A fundraiser was set up for the man[3], who worked as a HGV driver, by colleague Cliff Smith.
Almost GBP4,000 was raised in total. Now, a prevention of future deaths report penned by assistant coroner for North West Kent, Alan Blunsdon, has been made public and sent to National Highways for their response.
The coroner said: "During the course of the inquest, the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. "In my opinion, there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken."
He noted that the grass verge which separates the M20 and M25/M20 slip road does not have erected upon it "any physical barriers" to prevent traffic crossing the verge from either of the two roads referred to and "entering a parallel lane on the opposite side of the verge". Evidence received from National Highways confirmed that, under the present guidance, barriers would not normally be required. 'In my opinion, there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken...'
This is because there are no features on the slip road, such as an incline, requiring physical protection between the two merging roads of traffic travelling at similar speeds in the same direction. However, in his report, Mr Blunsdon added: "The facts of the present case illustrate that in the event of a loss of control of a vehicle travelling on either the M20 or in the slip road there is the potential for that vehicle, without any warning to drivers travelling at or about the same area in the coastbound direction, cross the grass verge to their side and enter their lane of travel. "As both the material roads are subject to the same national speed limit of 70mph, the risk of a high-speed collision and fatality arises.
"In my opinion, action should be taken to prevent future deaths, and I believe you National Highways have the power to take such action."
A National Highways spokesperson said: "Any death on our roads is one too many, and our thoughts are with the family and friends of Freddie Slater following this tragic incident.
"We will review the coroner's report and respond within the deadline."
It has been given until June 12 to respond to the report.
References
- ^ was then hit in a further crash with a BMW 5-Series estate after it crossed over a grass verge onto the slip road from the M25, where it joins and merges with the M20, near the Swanley Interchange. (kentonline.co.uk)
- ^ heard how the man was involved in the fatal road traffic collision (kentonline.co.uk)
- ^ fundraiser was set up for the man (www.gofundme.com)