Wide lorry load crash death was accidental

5:08pm Wednesday 15th October 2008

EIGHT inches made the difference between life and death for an agency staff nurse who was killed when his car hit part of a wide load being transported through Dorset from Portland in darkness, an inquest heard.

William Lloyd-Brown, 60, who worked at the Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester, died from multiple injuries at the scene of January’s early morning crash on the A31 at Winterborne Zelston.

But the hearing was told that if his Peugeot 206 had been just 8in (20cm) closer to the verge, he would have been able to pass the vehicle safely as it made its way from Portland to Middlesbrough.

The crash happened where the markings at the edge of the road created a visual ‘pinch point’, reminding drivers of the 40mph speed limit.

Accident investigator Sgt James Allmond said he had noticed that cars tended to move closer to the central white line at the spot. A jury at Bournemouth recorded a verdict of accidental death on Mr Lloyd-Brown, of Bearwood in Poole. His widow Lesley said he had been a slow and careful driver.

The incident has already led to Dorset Police reviewing its policy on the movement of abnormal indivisible loads (AILs).

A police escort set off with the lorry and its trailer but about half an hour before the fatal collision police left the lorry to continue with its own private escort van, the inquest was told.

AILs are now not usually allowed to travel in the dark but if they do, they are given a police escort through the county. All traffic officers are also being given additional classroom training on AILs.

District coroner Sheriff Payne said he would also be writing to the Department of Transport to suggest changes to legislation. He added: “All witnesses have said the convoy should not have been on the road in those conditions but it was being done entirely in accordance with national policy and Dorset Police guidelines.”

He added that although the lorry and its escort vehicle were fitted with amber flashing lights, they were not a legal requirement.

Mr Lloyd-Brown’s car hit a metal mudguard on a protruding wheel.

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