Coroner calls for N5 turn-off to be designated accident blackspot

A turnoff on the N5 near Castlebar where a 91-year-old driver suffered fatal injuries in a crash should be designated an accident blackspot, a coroner has stated.

Mayo coroner Dr Eleanor Fitzgerald made her comments last week at the inquest into the death of Alfred Barrie Trueman, Carrowmore Meadows, Knock, who was returning home on the evening of December 28th last after visiting his wife Joyce in hospital when his car rear-ended a Ford Transit pickup truck that was stationary on the N5 and about to turn right for Windsor.

Mr Trueman, a former teacher at St Patrick’s Academy, Islandeady, Castlebar, passed away in the intensive care unit of Mayo University Hospital on January 9 last.

At an inquest in Castlebar Courthouse, Dr Fitzgerald returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence that the death resulted from recurrent pulmonary thromboembolism (blood clot) complicated by pulmonary infarction and pneumonia.

Dr Fitzgerald said that while Mr Trueman’s death was natural, the underlying cause was the injuries sustained in the accident.

After hearing lengthy evidence, Dr Fitzgerald said there was no explanation as to why the collision occurred except for a lack of attention on Mr Truman’s part and that he didn’t realise the vehicle in front of him was stationary and about to turn right.

“I could see accidents like this happening again," the coroner noted as she called for greater vigilance to road signs.

Calling for the designation of the accident location as “a blackspot”, Dr Fitzgerald made a recommendation that “a box” should be provided (on the N5) as well as an arrow for vehicles indicating to turn right.

Garda Ailish Nevin and Garda Maura Hopkins, who attended the scene, said they spoke to the driver of the pickup truck, Stephen Conway, who informed them that his vehicle was stopped when he was struck from behind.

Mike Crowley, one of a number of motorists who stopped to assist, told gardaí in a statement which was read to the inquest on his behalf by Gda Sgt Noel Crinnegan, that there was a lot of blood on the car driver’s face but he was conscious at the time.

Mr Crowley said he held Mr Trueman’s head while he was in the car so as to avoid spinal injuries.

Another witness, Dominick Horkan, explained in a statement to gardaí that he saw the car drive straight into the back of the pickup truck.

“There was glass all over the road… the driver of the car was drifting in and out of consciousness. The driver seemed stuck in the car."

Stephen Conway, the truck driver, gave a statement to gardaí that was also read into evidence by Gda Sgt Crinnegan. He said he had been indicating to exit the N5 towards Windsor when his vehicle was hit forward in “a violent impact”.

Both vehicles were examined afterwards by Garda PSV inspectors and were deemed roadworthy.

Jessica (Jesse) Trueman, a granddaughter of the deceased who lives abroad, took part in the inquest via video link. When asked by the coroner how her grandmother, Joyce, who her grandfather had been visiting in hospital prior to the accident, is now faring, she replied that she is being cared for in a rest home in Knock.

Ms Trueman thanked all who assisted at the scene and all those involved in the care of her grandfather and the subsequent investigation.

Dr Fitzgerald also acknowledged the efforts made by individuals to assist at the scene.

“It is good to know that in this day and age people do care," she stated.

Earlier, the coroner described as “ironic” the fact that Mr Truman, who had been in good health, should lose his life while visiting his ill wife in hospital.

• Published as part of the Courts Reporting Scheme.