Death of Lincoln cyclist prompts road safety warning
Road users are being urged to think about safety following an inquest into the death of a cyclist in Lincoln.
Matthew Tuffin, 28, was hit by a marked police car at 36mph on a pedestrian crossing in Carholme Road, near the junction of Gresham Street, just after 10pm on March 27, last year.
The car was responding to a 999 call.
Mr Tuffin, of Hewson Road, later died of severe head injuries at Lincoln County Hospital.
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He had been drinking and may have been listening to music on an MP3 player, the inquest in Lincoln heard.
Deputy Coroner Richard Marshall recorded a verdict of accidental death.
Witnesses said Mr Tuffin was wearing dark clothing and did not have any lights working on his bike.
Speaking after the hearing, John Siddle, spokesman for Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, said: "We extend our sympathies to Matthew's family.
"Everybody has a responsibility, whatever vehicle they are operating, to make sure that they are visible, and they should be aware of the consequences arising out of that."
The Independent Police Complaints Commission concluded there was no evidence to suggest that PC Richard Johnson's manner of driving fell below the required standard, meaning there is no case to answer in respect of misconduct.
Vehicles had green light priority at the crossing at the time of the incident.
The police car had its blue lights on throughout, but due to a fault with the black box recorder, it was not possible to determine categorically that the siren was activated at the time of the collision.
Mr Tuffin was riding his bicycle on the pavement and then turned right across the road at the crossing.
Comments
by tuftytoes
Wednesday, July 25 2012, 8:59PM
“you do not know the full facts. the Police driver made mistakes too. matt was 2 thirds across the rd.”
by camelherder
Wednesday, June 27 2012, 6:23AM
“Why has it taken over a year for the inquest to be held?”
by tuftytoes
Tuesday, June 26 2012, 10:04PM
“the police made big mistakes too”
by Ian_Heighton
Tuesday, June 26 2012, 1:48PM
“Regerme has launched a free to use road safety scheme. The scheme is being promoted across the UK. Useful for all to comment against the registration of the careless or just d**n right dangerous drivers.
Unfortunately Cyclists and pedestrians do not have registration numbers - how do you comment about specific dangerous cyclists and pedestrians?”
by M_C_Donald
Tuesday, June 26 2012, 1:38PM
“Seems strange he still could not be seen as pedestrians are not fitted with lights."
The reason this man was hit was because he cycled out in front of a car against the lights.
Mitagating factors being that he had been drinking (clouded judgement), possibly listening to music (didn't hear siren, if sounded), no lights (traffic offence), riding on pavement (traffic offence), he most probably didn't look because he was not paying attention because of the first two factors.
Always someone else has to be the blame; if this area was lit up like the middle of the day, unfortunately this accident would of still happened because he didn't stop.
Ian is right, I would also clamp down on cyclists not showing lights after lighting up time and riding through traffic lights at red.”
by Ian_Heighton
Tuesday, June 26 2012, 12:48PM
“Another case of someone ignoring a red light on a crossing and getting themselves involved in a collision with a vehicle. My sympathies go to the family.
It's about time there was a crackdown on pedestrians and cyclists ignoring red lights on crossings before more lives are lost.”
by Roadscource
Tuesday, June 26 2012, 12:45PM
“Carholme Road is lit at night and the light intensity is designed to be higher at points such as pedestrian crossings and junctions etc. Seems strange he still could not be seen as pedestrians are not fitted with lights.
Maybe John Siddle could assess the lighting instalations and requirements at this location and make sure they are up to spec in respect for the family.”
by FreedomSpeech
Tuesday, June 26 2012, 12:30PM
“Rascall1, I think there's a reasonable chance that the Deputy Coroner knows what they're doing. The fact that something hasn't been reported in the press doesn't mean that it wasn't investigated.”
by rick29
Tuesday, June 26 2012, 12:04PM
“during the earlier nights i see countless people on bikes without bike lgihts on them, maybe the police should start cracking down on cyclists without lights as them cyclists are giving those of us who use lights a bad name”
by rascall1
Tuesday, June 26 2012, 9:59AM
“Are there not 2 black boxes. Plus street cctv has sound. Also people who can hear. Maybe what the corroner said is true. Certanly dead man cant talk now. But there are other sources of info not spoken about let alone asked about. Iffy my respects to the family. And sincere appologies for this but more may need tobe looked at.”