A multiple-car collision that led to the deaths of two men has been described as 'unusual'. The grieving family of Andrew Steer, 52, heard how the man's vehicle collided with the rear of an articulated lorry - four and a half seconds before a second driver collided into his car.
Mr Steer and Harris Gondwe, 38, both died in the crash on January 20 this year. The fatal crash closed the southbound carriageway for most of the day between junction 26 for the A610 (Nottingham / Eastwood) and junction 25 for the A52 Brian Clough Way (Nottingham / Derby).
The circumstances surrounding their fatal crash were discussed during an inquest at Nottingham Council House on December 7, 2022. PC Stephen Farrell, a forensic investigation officer, has given his account of the incident, telling the court Mr Gondwe collided with Mr Steer's vehicle 'four and a half' seconds after the first collision.
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It would have been expected that Mr Gondwe had a "reasonable reaction to that if he had seen it [the first crash]", the court heard. DC Farrell went on to describe the incident as 'unusual'.
He also said there were five gantries between junction 26, and the place of collision. PC Farrell said it would be 'difficult to be certain' that a combination between the topography of the road and congested traffic had caused the tragedy.
The inquest, which went into its second day on Wednesday, December 7, heard from four witnesses from National Highways. Colin Lowther, Head of Service Delivery at National Highways, answered questions as he was giving evidence in court.
He explained that the term of 'smart motorways' is used when referring to controlled motorways, which is the section of motorway that was used by the drivers at the time of the incident. The section of the motorway where this incident occured did have a heard shoulder, the court heard. Work was being carried out by the National Highways between junctions 25 and 26.
A system - MIDAS - which is used to monitor traffic volumes and automatically set signs and signals as the motorway becomes more congested, was in place on the motorway. The court was told how the stationary traffic might have failed to trigger the system.
Mr Lowther said that his role at National Highways is "to maintain safety". Asked if the presence of more signage would have changed anything, he said drivers had complained before about having too many.
"We want to be careful", he added. He went on to explain National Highways' commitment to reduce crashes by 50 percent by 2025.
Senior coroner Mairin Casey has hosted the inquest and added: "The system is about minimising risk". The conclusion of the inquest will be delivered by the coroner on Friday, December 16.
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