ROYAL MAIL MANAGER ACCIDENT DURING STRIKES - UPDATE

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 17 Apr 2008, 12:32

DRIVER DIED INSTANTLY IN FATAL ACCIDENT WITH LORRY

LINK

BY AIMEE COELHO

11:40 - 17 April 2008

An Exeter father-of-five was killed instantly after being involved with a collision with a Royal Mail articulated vehicle that was being driven by a manager covering driving duties during strike action last summer, an inquest has heard.

Henry Brown, 56, from St Thomas, was driving a Vauxhall Astra van with his son as a passenger, when it was hit by a red Leyland Daf lorry being driven by Phillip Edmonds, an audit and compliance manager who normally worked for Exeter's Royal Mail centre on Sowton Industrial estate.

Mr Brown died at the scene of the accident, which happened just before 6.30am on July 26.

Phillip Butter told the inquest that he believed that he was the only person to witness the accident.

Mr Butter, a driver for a courier company based at Frank Tuckers Garage on the A379 near Alphington, said that he had left his work on a job just after 6am on the day of the accident.

He said: "The driving conditions were normal and I noticed a Vauxhall Astra van at the filter lane of the A379 at Marsh Barton about 200 yards ahead of me.

"Shortly after this, I saw a Leyland Daf Royal Mail articulated tractor unit.

"Suddenly, it's difficult to say what happened but I saw the tractor veer to the right across the dual carriageway and the driver's side hit the driver's side of the Astra.

"The tractor came to a stop across the dual carriageway and I put my hazard lights on.

"I had to stop and take my breath because I just couldn't believe what I had seen.

"My manager shortly arrived on the scene and he called the emergency services. When the police arrived I told them how the articulated vehicle had just suddenly shot across the road.

"I got quite shook up later on in the day when I heard on the news that somebody had died."

Stephen Curtis, an area planning manager for Royal Mail, told the inquest that Mr Edmonds was employed as a driver during the strike action because he held a class 1 articulated vehicle driving licence and had taken part in familiarisation courses with the vehicles he was required to drive.

Mr Brown's son, Patrick, who was a passenger in the Vauxhall Astra, told the inquest in a statement that he had little recollection of events.

Fire crews had to cut him out of the vehicle in order for him to be treated by paramedics.

He said: "I remember seeing my dad next to me and then blacking out. I remember seeing a paramedic lift me out of the car, but I cannot recollect much else."

The inquest heard transcripts of interviews with the police, in which Mr Edmonds was questioned on his training and his experience in using articulated vehicles.

He said that he was a competent driver and had passed and been assessed according to Government legislation.

He told the inquest: "There is not a day that goes by that I don't think of what happened that day and if I could change what happened I would.

"I am just so sorry for Mr Brown's family and the past couple of months have been very hard for my family and me also."

Exeter and Greater Devon coroner Elizabeth Earland recorded a verdict of accidental death due to multiple injuries.

Post by **Lounge Lizard** » 17 Apr 2008, 15:09

But was the "audit and compliance manager" trained and qualified to drive a "Leyland Daf lorry"?

norbert · Post by **norbert** » 17 Apr 2008, 15:45

Lounge Lizard wrote:But was the "audit and compliance manager" trained and qualified to drive a "Leyland Daf lorry"?

I'm sure he told the whole truth and nothing but the truth to the Police , no spin and goalpost moving , I'm absolutely convinced he wasn't trying to protect RM in any way / put under any pressure or looking for Brownie Points and Blackpool will win The Championship next season with Burnley as runners up .

Area Audit & Compliance Manager ? is that Hatchet Man in English ?, very , very unfortunate for all concerned but this was waiting to happen, seen too many near misses with another union during provoked disputes ,I'm sorry but if this is considered to be below the belt , RM would stoop a lot lower .with no hesitation .

axeman · Post by **axeman** » 17 Apr 2008, 17:02

Strange sure i seem to recollect that they had driving familiarisation courses after this incident ??

hope this new corporate manslaughter covers this and royal fail are brought to book

Post by **Lounge Lizard** » 17 Apr 2008, 17:15

axeman wrote:Strange sure i seem to recollect that they had driving familiarisation courses after this incident ??

hope this new corporate manslaughter covers this and royal fail are brought to book

"after" is the significant word.

Tall Guy · Post by **Tall Guy** » 17 Apr 2008, 19:15

axeman wrote:Strange sure i seem to recollect that they had driving familiarisation courses after this incident ??

hope this new corporate manslaughter covers this and royal fail are brought to book

It does say "accidental death". I say there but for the grace of god..... All of us who drive vehicles live with this possibility.

Night Tonic · Post by **Night Tonic** » 17 Apr 2008, 20:02

Quite honestly this is one news item that should have been posted and locked STRAIGHT away. It is not fair on either party, or on the family of the man who died.

I hope most have the good sense to not add any more to what has already been difficult for those involved.

axeman · Post by **axeman** » 17 Apr 2008, 20:08

Just because the driver at some long point in time was a hgv driver doesn't mean royal fail are not responsible.They have to take part blame as it's the actions of over zealous managers willing to 'obey' the master and guru big al and do his bidding to break the strike. If you sit back in hindsight would it have not been prudent for royal fail to give these managers a proper refresher course before sending them on missions dare say they hadn't had a medical for years either ???

apple · Post by **apple** » 17 Apr 2008, 20:28

have to agree with axeman and night tonic, must be a really hard time for both lots of families my condolences to the family involved,

RM manager, he too must have been going through it

the big question would be in this as axeman says although qualified a refresher course should have been implemented by RM

saru · Post by **saru** » 17 Apr 2008, 20:36

macfan wrote:have to agree with axeman and night tonic, must be a really hard time for both lots of families my condolences to the family involved,

RM manager, he too must have been going through it

the big question would be in this as axeman says although qualified a refresher course should have been implemented by RM

Stephen Curtis, an area planning manager for Royal Mail, told the inquest that Mr Edmonds was employed as a driver during the strike action because he held a class 1 articulated vehicle driving licence and had taken part in familiarisation courses with the vehicles he was required to drive.

My sympathies, too, to all concerned.

What concerns me is the phrase, "taken part in familiarisation courses". Knowing RM's training policy, it would have been a case of, "Here's the keys, there's the truck, away you go!" Thus a tragedy occurs with tragic consequences.

axeman · Post by **axeman** » 18 Apr 2008, 21:10

And you with the wisdom that you have know that he had all the training that was required ? who's taking through the rear end ?

yes this thread should be locked as it has no bearing on the actual issues which no doubt will be questioned in the courts and the outcome realesed to the press in due course !!!

still a shame that it hapened though all the suffering his family has endured and for what !

Tall Guy · Post by **Tall Guy** » 18 Apr 2008, 21:38

axeman wrote:And you with the wisdom that you have know that he had all the training that was required ? who's taking through the rear end ?

yes this thread should be locked as it has no bearing on the actual issues which no doubt will be questioned in the courts and the outcome realesed to the press in due course !!!

still a shame that it hapened though all the suffering his family has endured and for what !

It's been through the courts and press.

It has been judged an "accidental death". ie no blame attached to any individual or company.

Could happen to you or I tomorrow.

End of.

axeman · Post by **axeman** » 20 Apr 2008, 15:12

Ah can't type or spell ...yes i know my command of the english language isn't perfect but !!!!!!!!!!

I reserve (so long as admin , mods are ok with it) the right to castigate r.m if i wish so long as it's not a derogatory or personal comment or insult or delves into personal details............

As for another job well, at least i have qualifications to be able to persue alternative employment if i so wish (roll on the next lot of evr's that come along)
how long i remain with r.m is for me to decide 'yes' i am looking at other jobs even might set up in business myself all possibilities

And what's your goal in life 'can't type'

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 20 Apr 2008, 15:55

Not sure if he really understands what a forum is for he castigates your for knocking the business you work for, missing the irony that in doing so he is guilty of doing the same thing but to the people who post on this forum.

saru · Post by **saru** » 20 Apr 2008, 17:22