Finding into death of Samuel Alexander Chilton
Deceased
Samuel Alexander Chilton
Demographics
15y, male
Date of death
2019-02-14
Finding date
2020
Cause of death
Multiple injuries in the setting of a truck incident (cyclist)
AI-generated summary
Samuel Chilton, aged 15, died when struck by a cement truck while cycling across Princes Highway near Allansford. He was attempting to cross the highway illegally to enter Ziegler Parade while heading to cricket training. The truck driver reacted appropriately and braked, but could not avoid collision. Samuel's mobile phone was playing loud music at the scene, suggesting possible distraction. Investigation found no evidence of driver fault, excessive speed, mechanical defect, or impairment. The coroner concluded Samuel likely made an error of judgment or had a lapse in concentration while crossing. The case highlights the unsafe cycling infrastructure around the highway-town centre junction and unsafe practices adopted by local residents including children due to lack of safer alternatives.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Specialties
Contributing factors
- Cyclist riding against traffic flow in wrong direction
- Apparent distraction (mobile phone playing loud music)
- Error of judgment or lapse in concentration
- Unsafe cycling infrastructure
- Lack of safe alternative route to town centre
Coroner's recommendations
- VicRoads and City of Warrnambool to review cycling infrastructure along Princes Highway, Allansford, giving consideration to how cyclists including children cycle along Princes Highway and into Allansford town centre
- Allansford Football Netball Club and Allansford Cricket Club each publish a notice in their newsletter reminding people who cycle to the Allansford Recreation Reserve not to enter Ziegler Parade via the Princes Highway merging ramp, as doing so is unsafe and does not comply with road rules
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