A coroner has ordered Heathrow airport to improve safety after a British Airways engineer was killed in a 40mph “airside” collision between two vehicles.
Richard Furniss, assistant coroner for West London, sent the airport a prevention of future deaths notice after a five-day hearing into the death of John Coles.
He died aged 44 on February 14, 2018, after an early-morning collision on an “uncontrolled crossing” near Terminal 5 between the Renault Kangoo van he was driving and a Toyota Hilux safety vehicle driven by Heathrow Airport worker Geoffrey Foden.
An inquest jury last week returned a verdict of accidental death. Mr Coles had been able to get out of the van, which had been hit side on. But he complained of chest pains and died an hour later from a ruptured aorta, the main artery that carries blood away from the heart.
Background “visual interference” was found to have been a contributory factor in early-morning crash, which happened in darkness.
Last night Mr Furniss said he was concerned that Heathrow appeared to have given “no specific consideration” to the “phenomenon” of visual interference despite it being raised by a police investigator more than four years ago.
The police investigator told the inquest that illumination from the terminal building and flashing lights on planes would have caused difficulties spotting the van on the crossing.
In the prevention of future deaths report, the coroner told Heathrow’s management: “You seemed reluctant to accept that this might have been a factor (and may therefore be a factor in a future accident). I believe it is necessary to highlight this hazard.”
The coroner added that white vans driven by BA employees “may be difficult to see” and suggested that they be fitted with side profile lights.
Heathrow has until September 18 to respond to the coroner.
Thompsons Solicitors, which represented Mr Coles’ family, said the issues raised had wider implications for other workers at Heathrow and other airports that used uncontrolled crossings.
Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite, said: “We will strive to hold Heathrow accountable for implementing the promised safety improvements.
“If there is any failure in delivering these crucial changes, we will defend our members’ interests, as safety is non-negotiable.”
Heathrow has been approached for comment. Last week it told the inquest that it would review the crossings and consider licensing drivers using the 17 that remain in place.
Mark Coles, Mr Coles’ brother, said after the inquest: “As a family, we will hold [Heathrow’s] feet to the fire until they make these changes to protect all those working at Heathrow airport.”
A Heathrow spokesperson said: “We’re deeply saddened by any loss of life at Heathrow and express our profound sympathy to the family and friends of John Coles, as well as support for those colleagues impacted by this tragic accident.
“We pride ourselves on being an airport whose top priority is the safety and security of our colleagues and passengers, which is why we fully supported the police and the Health and Safety Executive investigation which took place following the incident.
“We are grateful to the coroner, jury and other interested parties for all their input into the Inquest process. We will work with our airport partners to consider the learnings that have come out of this process and update the coroner with our actions.”
