Sonny Farrier

I am Jeremy Chipperfield , senior coroner, for the coroner area of Durham and Darlington

On 08-Dec-23, I commenced an investigation into the death of Sonny James FARRIER , 18 years old. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 03-Jul-24. I concluded that death resulted from head injuries sustained in a road traffic collision, as described below.

At around 1300 hrs on 2nd December 2023, the deceased was a passenger in a van travelling north-east along Butsfield Lane in Consett, when driving control was lost as the van slid downhill on ice and collided with a tree at the bottom of the hill, where the road changes direction.   Having disembarked from the van, the deceased was struck by a car travelling in the same direction, a few minutes after the van; at the point of collision, the car was also out of control due to slippery conditions on the same stretch of Butsfield Lane. On the same day, at least two further independent incidents of loss of vehicular control were caused by slippery conditions on the same stretch of Butsfield Lane.

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. The Road called Butsfield Lane in Consett (locally known as “Bogle Hole Lane”), approximately 1 km north-east of its junction with Delves Lane, includes a hill of between 19 and 21% gradient, with a bend immediately beyond its lower portion. In slippery conditions, and in the absence of effective mitigation, passage of vehicular traffic along this stretch of Butsfield Lane presents a hazard and risk of death to road users.

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you have the power to take such action.