Daniel Pinkney

Department of Transport

Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents

I am Professor Paul Marks, Senior Coroner, for the Coroner Area of City of Kingston Upon Hull and the County of the East Riding of Yorkshire.

On 30 th December 2022, I commenced an investigation into the death of Daniel Pinkney, aged 26 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 21 st October 2024. The conclusion of the inquest was: ROAD TRAFFIC COLLISION

These are set out in my summary and findings of facts which are attached. At approximately 21:13 hours on 19th December 2022, Daniel PINKNEY was driving his Ford Focus motor car in a northerly direction on the A164 in the Skidby area. He encountered a large amount of surface water on his carriageway whilst travelling at approximately 50 miles per hour. His vehicle was subject to aquaplaning and consequent loss of directional control. As a result, he entered the opposite carriageway and collided with a third party vehicle travelling in the Hessle-bound direction. The force of the impact was such that the engine of Mr. PINKNEY’s vehicle broke free of its mountings and came to lie 28 metres from the vehicle. Mr. PINKNEY suffered devastating head and other injuries which were unsurvivable, and he was declared deceased by paramedics in his vehicle at 21:57 hours on 19th December 2022. Both of the involved vehicles were free from mechanical defects which could have caused or contributed to the accident.

During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken. In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you. The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows.  – I believe that greater awareness of the phenomenon of aquaplaning is important, together with the need to reduce speed when surface water is present, coupled with basic knowledge about braking and steering, should a vehicle experience this phenomenon. I was informed by a forensic collision expert that the Highway Code is at present silent on this matter but road user should be familiar with it.

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you and your organisation has the power to take such action by considering adding guidance in the next iteration of the Highway Code.