Colin McCallum

[REDACTED]

I am Simon MILBURN, Area Coroner for the coroner area of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

On 17 July 2023 I commenced an investigation into the death of Colin Neil Duncan MCCALLUM aged 62. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 16 May 2024. The conclusion of the inquest was that: Mr McCallum was driving his Ford Focus westbound along the A1307 dual carriageway at Hemingford in Cambridgeshire at around 1545hrs on 14.07.23. It was raining heavily at that time. Mr McCallum was driving in lane two of the carriageway when his vehicle struck a patch of water. He lost control of the vehicle which crossed the carriageway to the nearside before entering the grassed hard shoulder where it struck a stationary vehicle which had stopped to assist another driver. Mr McCallum’s vehicle then continued into the adjacent treeline before coming to a sudden halt. Emergency Services were called to the scene. Sadly Mr McCallum had suffered severe traumatic injuries as a result of the collision and despite attempts at resuscitation his death was confirmed at 1715hrs.

Mr McCallum was driving his Ford Focus westbound along the A1307 dual carriageway at Hemingford in Cambridgeshire at around 1545hrs on 14.07.23. It was raining heavily at that time. Mr McCallum was driving in lane two of the carriageway when his vehicle struck a patch of water. He lost control of the vehicle which crossed the carriageway to the nearside before entering the grassed hard shoulder where it struck a stationary vehicle which had stopped to assist another driver. Mr McCallum’s vehicle then continued into the adjacent treeline before coming to a sudden halt. Emergency Services were called to the scene. Sadly Mr McCallum had suffered severe traumatic injuries as a result of the collision and despite attempts at resuscitation his death was confirmed at 1715hrs.

During the course of the investigation my inquiries 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: (brief summary of matters of concern) I understand that responsibility for this stretch of road was passed to CCC by National Highways in Feb 2024. During the Inquest I heard evidence from National Highways Head Of Planning & Development(statement of [REDACTED] attached). During the period Mar 2022 to Jul 2023 the Police were aware of 5 separate incidents on the stretch of the A1307 identified in [REDACTED] statement where there had been personal injury or death to individuals caused after vehicles had hit patches of water before leaving the carriageway. I am concerned that unless the risk of flooding/standing water is reassessed and managed/monitored moving forward that there is a risk of future deaths occurring in circumstances similar to that of the current case.

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.