Coroner calls for Mayo N5 turning point to be declared accident blackspot

A coroner has recommended that a turning point on the N5 for Windsor, just outside Castlebar, where a 91-year-old driver suffered injuries, which led to his death in Mayo University Hospital (MUH) more than a week later, should be designated an accident blackspot.

Alfred Barrie Trueman, Carrowmore Meadows, Knock, was returning home alone on the evening of December 28 last after visiting his wife, Joyce, in hospital when his car rear-ended a Ford Transit pickup truck which was stationary on the N5, 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 MUH on January 9 last.

At an inquest in Castlebar Courthouse, the Coroner for the District of Mayo, Dr. Eleanor 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 mode of death was natural, the underlying cause of his death was the injuries he sustained when his car rear-ended the Ford Transit as it was preparing to turn right.

After hearing lengthy evidence Coroner Fitzgerald said there was no explanation as to why the collision occurred except that he didn’t realise the vehicle in front of him was stationary, 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 of the impact, said they spoke to the driver of the pickup truck, Stephen Conway, who informed them his vehicle was stopped when he was struck from behind.

Mike Crowley, one of a number of motorists who stopped to assist, told gardai in a statement which was read to the inquest on his behalf by Sergeant Noel Crinnegan, Courts Presenter, An Garda Siochana, said 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 gardai that he saw the car drive straight into the back of the pick-up 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 gardai which was read into evidence by Sergeant Crinnegan.

In the statement he said he had been indicating to exit the N5 towards Windsor when his vehicle was hit forward in “a violent impact."

The crash vehicles were examined afterwards by Garda PSV Inspectors and both were deemed roadworthy.

Jessica (Jesse) Trueman, a granddaughter of the deceased who lives abroad, took part in the inquest via video link.

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

At the conclusion of the hearing, Coroner Fitzgerald 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.

* Published under the Courts Reporting Scheme.