Coroner's Finding: Chequer, Ellen Marie
Deceased
Ellen Marie Chequer
Demographics
75y, female
Date of death
2019-03-02
Finding date
2020-04-17
Cause of death
Chest and abdominal injuries sustained in a motor vehicle crash
AI-generated summary
Ellen Marie Chequer, aged 75, died from chest and abdominal injuries sustained in a motor vehicle crash on the East Tamar Highway, Tasmania. She was a front-seat passenger when her husband attempted to turn across oncoming traffic through a gap in the median barrier. The crash was caused by Mr Chequer's inattention in not seeing the oncoming vehicle before turning. Contributing factors included poor sightlines at the crash location and the unsafe design of the barrier gap, which created pressure on drivers to complete turns quickly due to risk of rear-end collision. The coroner found the gap in the barrier presented systemic safety issues and noted that alternative turning areas existed nearby. No clinical or medical management failures were identified.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Contributing factors
- Inattention of driver in not seeing oncoming vehicle
- Poor sightlines at crash location due to positioning of gap in median barrier on a curve and crest of hill
- Unsafe design of barrier gap with no safe waiting area
- Pressure on driver to complete turn quickly due to risk of rear-end collision from northbound traffic
Coroner's recommendations
- Consideration be given to removing the opening in the flexible wire rope barrier at 1784 East Tamar Highway at Dilston
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