Mason French: Prevention of future deaths report
Child Death (from 2015)Road (Highways Safety) related deaths
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Date of report: 22/06/2023
Ref: 2023-0208
Deceased name: Mason French
Coroner name: Derek Winter
Coroner Area: Sunderland
Category: Child Death (from 2015) | Road (Highways Safety) related deaths
This report is being sent to: South Tyneside Council
| REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS | |
|---|---|
| THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: Road Safety Manager, South Tyneside Council | |
| 1 | CORONER I am Derek Winter DL, Senior Coroner for the City of Sunderland |
| 2 | CORONER’S LEGAL POWERS I make this report under paragraph 7, Schedule 5, of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 and regulations 28 and 29 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2009/25/schedule/5/paragraph/7 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/1629/part/7/made |
| 3 | INVESTIGATION and INQUEST On 31st October 2022 I commenced an Investigation into the death of Master Mason French, who was born on 2nd January 2011 and who died at Lizard Lane, Whitburn, Sunderland on 25th October 2022 aged 11 years. The Investigation concluded at the end of an Inquest on 22nd June 2023. The conclusion of the Inquest was ‘Road traffic collision’. The medical cause of death was: Ia Blunt Head Injury |
| 4 | CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH Mason French died on 25th October 2022 at a concealed junction on Lizard Lane, Whitburn., when his bicycle collided with a passenger bus. |
| 5 | CORONER’S CONCERNS The MATTERS OF CONCERN are, as follows: Despite the safety improvements at the location of the road traffic collision, I continue to be concerned that without further measures cyclists in particular remain at risk in that area. |
| 6 | ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you have the power to take such action. |
| 7 | YOUR RESPONSE You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report, namely by 21st August 2023. I, the Coroner, may extend the period. Your response must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, setting out the timetable for action. Otherwise, you must explain why no action is proposed. |
| 8 | COPIES and PUBLICATION I have sent a copy of my report to the Chief Coroner and to the following Interested Persons: · Family I am also under a duty to send the Chief Coroner a copy of your response. The Chief Coroner may publish either or both in a complete or redacted or summary form. He may send a copy of this report to any person who he believes may find it useful or of interest. You may make representations to me, the coroner, at the time of your response, about the release or the publication of your response by the Chief Coroner. |
| 9 | Dated this 22nd day of June 2023 Senior Coroner for the City of Sunderland |