Inquest into the death of Solomon Shortland
Deceased
Solomon Te Kohekohe Shortland
Demographics
56y, male
Date of death
2017-01-05
Finding date
2018-10-31
Cause of death
Multiple injuries
AI-generated summary
Solomon Shortland, a 56-year-old truck driver, was fatally struck by a semi-trailer while attempting to secure an improperly restrained load during a police traffic stop on Vardys Road, Kings Park on 5 January 2017. Senior Constable Heron appropriately stopped the vehicle due to the unsecured load, which breached load restraint standards. The fatal event occurred when Solomon, after receiving an infringement notice and becoming upset, pulled on an unsecured webbing strap he had improperly positioned, causing him to lose balance and fall backwards into active traffic lane 2. The coroner found Heron's conduct appropriate and located the responsibility for the accident with Solomon's failure to secure the strap on the nearside before pulling. However, the coroner identified a deficiency in NSW Police Motor Vehicle Stopping Techniques and Procedures, noting these guidelines lacked specific consideration for the safety of drivers who exit vehicles during stops, and recommended amendments to address this gap.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Error types
Contributing factors
- Improperly restrained load on truck (pallet of cement bags not wrapped or blocked)
- Webbing strap ratchet positioned on offside instead of nearside of truck
- Solomon forgot to secure webbing strap to nearside before pulling on it
- Emotional upset from infringement notice led to loss of concentration
- Solomon's failure to use available restraint equipment (plastic wrapping, angles, additional straps)
- Quick change in dynamics of traffic stop resulting from infringement notice
- No specific guidance in police procedures regarding safety of drivers who exit vehicles during stops
Coroner's recommendations
- The Commissioner of Police should amend the Motor Vehicle Stopping Techniques and Procedures to include guidance that, in addition to police officer safety, consideration should be given to the safety of drivers or passengers who exit vehicles during stops. Such persons may move outside the 'corridor of safety' and become struck by passing traffic, and officers should suggest they remain within the vehicle or stand on its nearside until the stop is completed.
- The Commissioner of Police should amend the Motor Vehicle Stopping Techniques and Procedures to recommend that when a driver will be requested to exit the vehicle to inspect or rectify an unsecured load, a stopping location off the roadway should be selected where possible.
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