Council and democracy

A1M Report

Investigation into Incident Number 10644RTCA1 (M) which led to the death of Watch Commander Paul Mallaghan and injuries to Crew Commander Ian Crook.

On Saturday 16 June 2007 Blue Watch Stevenage was called to a car fire just on the slip road from junction 8 to the A(1)M between junctions 8 and 7 on the A1 (M). It was at this incident, just after the car had been extinguished, that another vehicle travelling southbound, left the main A1 (M) carriageway and hit the rear of the extinguished vehicle.

The resulting impact fatally injured Watch Commander Paul Mallaghan. Crew Commander Ian Crook sustained serious injuries as did an attending Highways Agency Traffic Officer.

The Strategic Leadership Group made an immediate decision to undertake an internal accident investigation. This was lead by ACO Mills who in turn appointed AC Doug Robinson and Health and Safety Manager Veronica Adlam to carry out the investigation.

The HFRS investigation was completed and concluded with 16 findings and 14 recommendations for implementation by the Service as part of an Action Plan. The findings and recommendations were published both to the Service and distributed nationally to Fire Services.

A lengthy Crown Court Case took place in September 2008 involving the driver of the third vehicle, who was subsequently found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving. As a result the Coroner has subsequently decided not to hold a full inquest.

All of the recommendations have now been completed or taken to a national forum, and HFRS Strategic Leadership Group is now in a position to publish the full report.