Coroner 'concerned' about road after woman's death

A coroner has warned future deaths could occur at a junction where a mother-of-three from Lancashire was killed in a crash.

Teaching assistant Emma Jane Hill died when the motorbike on which she was a pillion passenger collided with a Mercedes car on the A534 at Holt, near Wrexham, on April 6.

Although a full inquest is yet to be held, John Gittins, senior coroner for north Wales east and central, has issued a Prevention of Future Deaths (PFD) report to Wrexham County Borough Council.

In the report he said he unless visibility was improved in the area, there is an "ongoing risk further collisions will occur".

Opening an inquest in Ruthin, the coroner said Ms Hill, from Cornbrook, Skelmersdale, was on a motorbike travelling along the A534 towards Nantwich when the car emerged from the junction to Holt village.

Ms Hill died at the scene and Home Office pathologist Dr Brian Rodgers gave a provisional cause of death as blunt force head injuries.

In his PFD report Mr Gittins said he was "concerned" about visibility from the junction when turning right out of Holt village due to possible obstructions including signage and vehicles.

He added: "Furthermore, as this straight stretch of road is subject to a national speed limit following a 40mph zone traffic may be accelerating or travelling at speed, thus creating risk both for persons exiting the junction and traffic which is continuing along the main road."

The coroner said it was his understanding there had been previous collisions "in this vicinity" in the past.

Mr Gittins added "unless action is taken to improve visibility" there was an ongoing risk that further collisions will occur "and lives may be lost as a result".

Council officials have until June 4 to respond to the report, either explaining what steps have been taken to address the coroner's concerns or stating why it is felt nothing needs to be done.