A Devon and Cornwall road safety partnership has issued an urgent message to drivers after spike in fatal collisions on our roads.
In the past 14 days there have been 10 serious collisions across the two counties, including five which ended in fatalities.
Five of the serious collisions – including four of the fatal crashes – happened in the Northern Devon area. Details of each collision can be found below.
Devon and Cornwall Police, South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT), Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service and the Devon Air Ambulance – all of whom are members of the Vision Zero South West road safety partnership – played vital roles in attending these incidents.
Major Accident Investigations have taken place and enquiries are still ongoing with police appealing for witnesses to come forward.
Five coroner’s court hearings have also been scheduled to take place.
PS Owen Messenger of the Alliance Road Casualty Reduction Team for Devon and Cornwall Police and Dorset Police issued a stark warning to motorists.
He said: “Each one of these serious collisions is a tragedy with devastating and far-reaching consequences.
“Several of these collisions happened within a few miles of each other so the public can expect a lot more enforcement activity here – and across our larger roads network – over the coming weeks.
“I would urge all drivers – whether local to the area or visiting on holiday – to stick to a safe speed, particularly on our rural roads. Leave for your journey earlier, give yourself more time and don’t hurry.
“The last thing we want is to knock on any more doors to explain to someone that their loved one will not be returning home.”
Max Chantrey, Road Safety Officer, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service: “With more drivers and motorcyclists on our roads than ever before, it’s even more important to drive with awareness.
“Be aware of your situation: the conditions of the road, the weather conditions and the time of travel. Also be aware your own driving state: Are you tired? distracted?
“The speed limit is there as a limit, not a target. Always take regular breaks and reduce your speed to stay in control.
“No one expects to be involved in a collision, so make sure it isn’t you.”
Nigel Hare, Director of Patient Services for Devon Air Ambulance, said: “Every fatal road traffic collision is a tragedy, not just for the family and friends of those that have died, but also for others who were directly involved or who kindly stopped to render help and assistance.
“The greatest tragedy, however, is that often these collisions are avoidable. All of us that drive can help reduce the chances of such tragedies occurring, simply by driving with greater attention to the road conditions and other road users.”
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Details of the collisions
19/7/21 – Fatal road traffic collision, South Molton – Driver pronounced dead at the scene
Police were called to reports of a road traffic collision involving a car and a lorry on the B3226, near the North Aller roundabout, near South Molton, at around 1.40pm, on Monday 19 July.
The 58-year-old male driver of a silver Hyundai Ix35 car, who was from the Bideford area, was pronounced dead at the scene by the ambulance service.
The driver of the lorry was uninjured.
Local officers and officers from the Road Policing Team attended and the road was closed while an examination of the scene was carried out. The road was reopened at around 5.30pm.
The police would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident, has any information or dashcam footage which may have captured either vehicle prior to the collision that could help the police with their enquiries.
Please email 101@dc.police.uk or call 101, quoting log number 0496 of Monday 19 July.
22/7/21 – RTC A386 near Yelverton – One man injured and taken to hospital –
Police were called at around 8.30pm on Thursday 22 July to the A386 at Crapstone near Yelverton following reports of a two-vehicle collision.
The incident involved a van and a motorcycle.
The motorcyclist, a man in his 40s from Liskeard, sustained multiple serious and potentially life-changing injuries. He was taken to Derriford hospital.
Once a full examination of the scene was conducted the road was re-opened. Police would like to thank the public for their patience whilst the road was closed.
Any witnesses to the collision particularly anyone with Dash Cam footage are asked to contact the Police on 101 quoting Log number 1152 of the 22 July 2021.
24/7/21 – Serious collision, A39 Barnstaple – Six people injured, one airlifted to hospital
Police are appealing for witnesses to a serious collision on the A39 at Barnstaple on Saturday 24 July which left six people injured.
Officers were called at 5pm following a collision between a Mercedes and a VW Transporter van on the A39 Shirwell Road at the junction with the B3230.
The occupants of both vehicles, not local to the area, all sustained injuries. Six people were taken to hospital, three of them with serious injuries.
Four people in the van were taken to North Devon District Hospital. A 12-year-old boy was later transferred to Bristol Children’s Hospital with injuries described as life-threatening.
Two people in the Mercedes, a man and woman in their 80s, were seriously injured. The woman was airlifted to Derriford Hospital by air ambulance and the man was taken to North Devon District Hospital.
The road was closed for five hours for a specialist investigation of the scene to take place.
North Devon Roads Policing Unit is appealing to anyone who witnessed the collision or anyone with relevant dash cam footage to get in touch.
Please email 101@dc.police.uk or telephone 101, quoting log number 0765 of 24/07/21.
27/7/21 – Fatal RTC, A388 Torrington – Motorbike rider deceased
A motorbike rider who died in a collision at Torrington on Tuesday 27 July has been named as 19-year-old Brandon Buckman, from Beaworthy.
Police investigating the road traffic collision on the A388 between Frithelstockstone and Stibb Cross near Torrington are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.
Police were called to reports of a collision involving a red Suzuki motorbike, two rigid heavy goods vehicles and a white Ford van at around 3.10pm.
The rider of the motorbike was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 59-year-old man from the Torpoint area, a 39-year-old man from the Bude area and another man local to the area were uninjured in the collision.
Local officers as well as officers from the roads policing team and the Serious Collison Investigation Team attended the scene and a forensic examination was completed.
If you witnessed the incident, have any information or dashcam footage that could help the police with their enquiries, please email 101@dc.police.uk or call 101, quoting log number 582 of Tuesday 27 July.
28/7/21 – Fatal collision, A386 near Bideford – One man deceased
Police were called shortly before 10.50pm on Wednesday 28 July to the A386 at Loxdown Cross following reports of a single vehicle collision.
As a result of the collision, the driver of a black BMW 1 series, a man in his 20s, sustained serious injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
His next of kin have been informed and are being supporting by specially trained officers.
Specialist officers from Devon and Cornwall’s Roads Policing team attended the collision and an investigation has commenced.
Highways England remain at the scene and the road is closed at this time.
Police are appealing for any witnesses to the collision and anyone who may have dash cam footage having driven through the area during the evening.
Investigating officers would like any witnesses to come forward and content police on 101 quoting log number 1090 28/07/21.
29/7/21 – Serious RTC – A30 Indian Queens – Driver Helicoptered to Hospital
On Thursday 29 July 2021 at approximately 2.45pm, Police Ambulance and Fire were called to a road traffic collision on the A30 at Indian Queens.
Two vehicles were involved in the incident which caused serious injuries to one of the drivers. This driver was airlifted to Derriford Hospital by the Air Ambulance.
Officers attended the incident and commenced an investigation of the scene to establish the cause of the collision.
There was widespread traffic congestion in the area and Police would like to thank the members of public for their patience and co-operation.
Any witnesses who were in the area at the time of the collision who may have Dash Cam footage of the incident are asked to please contact 101 quoting Log 518 29 July 2021.
30/7/21 – A386 Landcross , Bideford – Driver pronounced dead at the scene
At 10:57 hours on Friday 30th July 2021 there was a report of a three vehicle collision on the A386 at Landcross near Bideford involving a white Peugeot, a silver Renault and a Heavy Goods Vehicle. The driver of the Peugeot, a 52 year old local male, was extracted from the vehicle by the Fire Service and CPR administered. Sadly, the CPR was unsuccessful, and the driver was pronounced deceased at scene.
Local Police Officers, Fire Service, Paramedics and officers from the Roads Policing Team attended. Police are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the collision or these vehicles prior to the collision or have dash camera footage.
Please contact police, quoting the log number 308 of 30th July 2021.
31/7/21 – Serious injury collision, Exmouth – Three people injured
Police were called at around 6.45pm on Saturday 31 July to Exeter Road, Exmouth, following reports of a three-vehicle collision.
The incident involved a blue coloured Suzuki Splash, a black coloured Renault Clio and a grey coloured Hyundai Tuscon.
The elderly driver and front seat passenger of the Suzuki sustained serious injuries and were taken to hospital. The driver of the Renault Clio, a woman in her 20s, also sustained a potentially serious injury.
Specialist Officers from the Roads Policing Unit attended the scene and commenced an investigation to establish the cause of the collision.
The road was closed for some hours while this investigation was completed, and Police would like to thank the members of public for their patience and co-operation.
Any witnesses who were in the area at the time of the collision who may have Dash Cam footage of the incident are asked to please telephone 101 quoting log 856 31 July 2021.
1/8/21 – Serious RTC – Deep Lane End Plymouth – One man taken to hospital
At approximately 11:29 hours on Sunday 1st August 2021 emergency services were notified of a single vehicle road traffic collision involving a Ford Fiesta on A38 Deep Lane Plympton off-slip, Plymouth.
South West Ambulance Services and Devon & Cornwall Police attended the incident. A local man was taken to Derriford Hospital following this incident.
Plympton off-slip was closed to allow for an examination of the scene and recovery of the vehicle.
Officers from the Roads Policing Team are appealing for witnesses of the incident to come forward quoting log 0419 01.08.2021
1/8/21 – Fatal collision – Helston – Motorcycle rider, 51, pronounced deceased at scene
At around 2.40pm on Sunday 1 August, police received a report of a road traffic collision involving a motorcyclist and a car on the A3083 at Helston.
The motorcyclist, a 51-year-old man, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. The road was closed in both directions while the scene was examined by a specialist forensic collision investigator.
Officers from the Alliance Roads Policing Team attended and are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the collision, or have dashcam footage, to call police on 101, or email 101@dc.police.uk, quoting the log number 615 of 01/08/21.
