Louis Thorold

I am Simon Milburn, area coroner, for the coroner area of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough

On 24.01.21 I commenced an investigation into the death of Louis Steven James THOROLD (age 5 months 18 days). The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 26.07.23. The conclusion of the inquest was that Louis died as the result of a ‘road traffic collision’. The medical cause of Louis’ death was ‘multiple traumatic injuries’.

Louis died at 1701hrs on 22.01.21 at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge. Postmortem examination revealed that he died as a result of multiple severe traumatic injuries. At around 1551hrs earlier that day the driver of a car travelling north on the A10 Ely Road at Landbeach turned right across the southbound carriageway where it was struck by an approaching van. The van left the carriageway to the nearside as a result of the impact and struck Louis and his mother as she pushed him in his pushchair along the pavement. The van came to rest in a ditch on the far side of the pavement trapping Louis underneath. He was extricated by a passer-by and treated at the scene. Sadly, Louis went into cardiac arrest and despite prolonged attempts at resuscitation and transfer to hospital he died of his injuries.

(b) CORONER’S CONCERNS During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken. In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you. The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows. During the inquest I heard evidence that drivers who reach 70 years of age and are therefore required to reapply for their driving licence at that point(and thereafter every 3 years) do so via an online self-certification process and that there is no need for independent medical scrutiny or input unless there is an issue which is specifically drawn to the attention of a medical practitioner. In this case one of the drivers involved in the road traffic collision was driving with undiagnosed dementia which effected their cognitive ability to perceive hazards on the road. I am concerned that if drivers beyond the age of 70 continue to drive without independent medical scrutiny of their continued ability to drive then there is a risk of deaths occurring in similar circumstances. ———————————————————– CORONER’S CONCERNS During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken. In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you. The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows. During the inquest I heard detailed evidence of the circumstances of a road traffic collision at the A10 Ely Road, Landbeach at its junction with the Carr Dyke Road on 22.01.21. I also heard that subsequent to this incident the speed limit at the location was reduced to 40mph. Louis’ father gave evidence at the inquest stating that he understood that this particular location fell within CCC’s ‘Settlement Policy’ for a 30mph speed limit(link included below). The inquest also heard evidence that, unsurprisingly, the risk to life as a result of a road traffic collision reduces with the speed of any impact involving a vehicle. https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/travel-roads-and-parking/roads-andpathways/improving-the-local-highway/speeding/alternative-speed-measures I am therefore concerned that there is a risk of death occurring in similar circumstances if it is correct that CCC’s ‘Settlement Policy’ is not being correctly applied.

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you [AND/OR your organisation] have the power to take such action.