Inquest verdict on A20 fatal road traffic collision
Submitted: 31/05/2002 15:51:42
Today at Gravesend Coroner's Court a verdict of unlawful killing was recorded on three of four people who died during a two-car collision on the A20 Swanley by-pass in Kent last August.
Two of the victims, David Pescud and Richard Westmoreland, were passengers in a Vauxhall Carlton car which was travelling at high speed on the wrong side of the carriageway.
The Carlton collided with a Vauxhall Vectra, travelling on the correct side of the carriageway and being driven by the third victim Mr Graham Bignell. The fourth person who died was Christopher Wyatt, the driver of the Carlton. A verdict of misadventure was recorded on the death of Wyatt.
The Carlton was being followed by Surrey Police after a smash and grab break-in at the Boots store in Oxted, Surrey in the early hours of 24 August. This car joined the A20, having gone down the slip road the wrong way, and travelled north along the wrong side of the carriageway, against oncoming southbound traffic, with its lights turned off. In order to protect the public as best they could and at considerable risk to themselves, the officers decided to follow the Carlton to try and warn oncoming traffic; indeed some vehicles were able to avoid a collision due to their actions.
Coroner Mr Roger Hatch said: "Officers made a decision and, in this case, the right decision, to follow to warn other vehicles. If Mr Wyatt was alive he would be facing three counts of manslaughter."
Surrey Police's Assistant Chief Constable Frank Clarke added: "Our sympathies must go to the families of those killed as a result of this grossly irresponsible driving, in particular the family of Mr Bignell, who was a totally innocent victim.
"This collision only serves to highlight yet again the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs, in this case, cocaine. Police officers did all they could to protect the public, including putting their own lives at risk but the driver displayed a totally reckless determination to escape with no consideration of the risks to others. His reckless and dangerous driving prematurely and tragically ended in the death of Graham Bignell and all three occupants of the fugitive car."
For further information please contact Surrey Police press office
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