Matthew Scott

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I am Sabyta KAUSHAL, Assistant Coroner for the coroner area of Derby and Derbyshire

On 21 March 2023 I commenced an investigation into the death of Matthew SCOTT aged 24. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 22 April 2024. The conclusion of the inquest was that: Matthew James Scott died on 11th March 2023 whilst travelling east on Station Road, Melbourne. The road had a speed limit of 40mph. He was travelling to his place of work at East Midlands airport when he hit a lengthy defective and subsided stretch of road which was filled with ice. That combined with his speed, which was likely to be in excess of 40mph, caused him to lose control, impact with a tree and sadly resulted in his death.

During the course of the investigation my inquiries revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken. In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you. The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows: (brief summary of matters of concern) At 6 weeks post Mr Scott’s death – on the 28th of April 2023 – a discussion took place between collision investigator officers, a traffic management officer (all of Derbyshire police) with the Project Engineer of the Highways Authority of Derbyshire County Council. The officers raised their concerns that at the place where Mr Scott lost control of his vehicle (Station Road, Melbourne Derbyshire) there was a lengthy, defective and subsided stretch of road. Further that at the time of Mr Scott’s death the subsided section of road was some 4 metres in width, 37 metres in length and 5 cms in depth. Further, that it was deep enough to have had standing water in it which at the time of Mr Scott’s death had turned to ice. Ice in the said defect would likely cause a vehicle to lose grip on the road surface. At that section of road, the road starts to bend to the right such that losing control on the ice could cause a vehicle to veer to the offside of the road, either into the path of an oncoming vehicle, into the opposite field or as in Mr Scott’s case, a tree. The Project Engineer of the Highways Authority discussed his concerns and the concerns

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you (and/or your organisation) have the power to take such action.