THREE ROYAL MAIL WORKERS ARRESTED OVER DEATH CRASH

[TrueBlueTerrier]

12:03 - 12 November 2007

thisisnottingham.co.uk

Detectives have arrested three Royal Mail workers after a 23-year-old student was hit by a vehicle and killed.

Two vehicles also belonging to the company have also been seized and are being examined by forensic experts following the incident in London Road just after 1.20am on Saturday.

James Hemstock, a Phd student from Campion Way, Bingham, died at the scene despite paramedics' efforts to save him.

Today, his dad John, 53, said James had been out with old school friends from Toot Hill School, Bingham.

They had gone to Oceana nightclub and he had told his friends he would leave when he had had enough.

For now the final hours of his life remain a mystery, and Mr Hemstock said James's death was a tragic waste.

"Two months ago he started his Phd and I could just tell he was genuinely happy in what he was doing.

"There were two sides to him. Clearly the side we saw was a bright, articulate chap the other side was a softer side, which was caring and loving.

"It is your worst nightmare. The early stages are probably the worst - things you come across like washing in the washing basket.

"His car is sitting on the driveway which he has only had two months. There is no way you can escape it."

Mr Hemstock was a talented scholar who started his PhD thesis after gaining a Collaborative Sport PhD Studentship.

He had graduated with a BSC Sports Science and Management degree from Nottingham Trent University in 2005 and went on to obtain a masters degree in sport science.

A Notts police spokeswoman said: "Three people have been arrested in connection with the collision and are helping police with their inquiries.

"Two vehicles have also been seized and are to be examined by scenes of crime officers.

"Detectives are anxious to speak to anyone who was driving down London Road towards Trent Bridge and West Bridgford, between 1am and 1.30am on Saturday morning."

A spokesman for Royal Mail confirmed three of its employees had been arrested in connection with the incident and had subsequently been released. The two vehicles recovered also belonged to the company.

A spokesman said: "Royal Mail is cooperating fully with the police investigation into the road traffic accident that occurred in Nottingham during the early hours of Saturday morning."

All calls to the police crash investigation unit on 0115 967 2225 or Crimestoppers in confidence 0800 555 111.

Reader comments


We met James this summer at our sons stag and wedding. They were good friends. My condolensces go to his parents, sister, family and friends.
Tony & Jacqui Curran, Ottawa, Canada

I didnt really know James, although i knew of him as he used to play football with my brother for Barnestone Colts, just like to say that my familys thoughts are with his parents and close family and friends.
Kerry, Bingham

[UNION JACK]

Quick question for health and safety guys.If the royal mail vans are thought to be unsafe due to lack of maintenance can the person aswell as royal mail be charged with manslaughter?

[k979aaa]

Quick question for health and safety guys.If the royal mail vans are thought to be unsafe due to lack of maintenance can the person aswell as royal mail be charged with manslaughter?

May i remind you all about the laws of the land and SUB JUDICE!

[Tall Guy]

Quick question for health and safety guys.If the royal mail vans are thought to be unsafe due to lack of maintenance can the person aswell as royal mail be charged with manslaughter?

yep, if it's tyres or lights or anything that you have to check or should know about

[UNION JACK]

what if you use your own car on delivery do royal mail have to take some responsibility if anything happens especially if a member of the public is injured

[brothermagrew]

Case Study No 3 - Robert Sharp Royal Mail Delivery Postman - Fatal RTA 21.8.2001

Robert Sharp, a 19-year-old Postman from Hamilton, Lanarkshire was sentenced to seven years prison after being found guilty at Hamilton Sheriffs Court of causing the death of a teenage girl Fiona McGill, through dangerous driving in August 2001 near Uddingston. He was also found guilty of seriously injuring two other girls Stephanie O'Brien and Julie Ann Glancy who were waiting for a school bus with Miss McGill. He had denied driving at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour in a 30mph zone in Viewpark, near Uddingston and being involved in a game of "chicken" with a Royal Mail Van just prior to the accident when he saw a work colleague, 18-year-old James McAllister, driving the mail van in the opposite direction. Witnesses said that Sharp's car - for no discernable reason - swerved onto the wrong side of the road and drove directly towards the Mail Van. Just before impact with the three girls Sharp swerved back onto the right side of the road but lost control, mounting the pavement.

It subsequently came to light that Sharp was on his way back to the Uddingston Royal Mail Delivery Office, after finishing his postal delivery round, having used his private car to deliver Mail. Additionally, Sharp had only passed his driving test four weeks before the accident. Royal Mail Managers had not undertaken suitable and sufficient risk assessments or imposed sufficient controls on staff using their private cars on delivery and had in fact turned a blind eye to a potentially dangerous practice, especially with inexperienced staff. As a result this catastrophic accident occurred.

Once again, the HSE wouldn't investigate this case and therefore no prosecution of the employers (who were culpable and should have been co-defendants) followed for the obvious and serious breaches of the health and safety at work act. As a result of that decision, the practice of unregulated private car use on Postal delivery rounds continues. Had there been proper Health and Safety controls in place at Uddingston Royal Mail Delivery Office which prevented the use of private cars on delivery rounds, particularly in the case of inexperienced drivers and particularly within a culture of staff possibly rushing to complete their rounds on a "job and finish" basis which by its very nature may encourage excessive speed, this catastrophic accident may never have happened. A young life may never have been lost and a young man may never have had to be sent to prison.

For a more in depth analysis go to CWU Union website - LTB 441/07 Causing Death By Driving Offences - A Sentencing Advisory Panel Consultation - CWU Response: Consultation Document From The Sentencing Advisory Panel On Causing Death By Dangerous Driving Offences.

This may answer some of your queries.

[pop it in pete]

what if you use your own car on delivery do royal mail have to take some responsibility if anything happens especially if a member of the public is injured

I very much doubt it. As you shouldnt be stupid enough to use your own car anyway. One way would be if they acknowledged the fact that you use your own car. So if you are using your car, and i dont recomend it, get them to sign a letter off saying they agree to you using it. This would still leave you wide open to be sued and sacked.

[Spedley]

2 Vans and 3 RM workers?
Surely it can't be coincidence that 2 vans were involved? I do hope they weren't racing each other.

[brothermagrew]

2 Vans and 3 RM workers?
Surely it can't be coincidence that 2 vans were involved? I do hope they weren't racing each other.

Anybody got any further info on this? Weren't the Nottingham Police treating this incident as a hit and run incident?

[Johnno]

don,t know full story yet, but 2 600's going to a PDO, so 2 drivers, not 3, also 2 car drivers involved, in the hit and run, all drivers bailed pending further inqiries