A coroner has called for prompt action to be taken after three Cumbrian road deaths were caused by drivers who lied to the DVLA and held on to their licences despite medical episodes.
Husband and wife Gareth and Pat Evans were killed when a Volkswagen Golf driven by primary school teacher David Henderson collided with the elderly couple’s vehicle as they headed to a church bell ringing session in February 2023.
Henderson, from Carlisle, was apparently unconscious as his vehicle smashed head-on into Renault Clio driven by 68-year-old Mrs Evans, causing what one witness described as an explosion.
Mr and Mrs Evans died at the scene of the incident, on the Stainburn bypass, near Workington.
Henderson later admitted causing their deaths by dangerous driving, and was handed an 88-month jail term by a judge who heard how the defendant had, since 2013, suffered from a heart condition which caused blackouts.
Henderson was accused of deceit and lies by the sentencing judge having failed to provide accurate details to the DVLA which would have resulted in the loss of his licence.
An inquest into the deaths of Mr and Mrs Evans was heard by Cumbria assistant coroner Robert Cohen.
He also presided over an inquest into the death of Neil Errington following a separate collision, which occurred in Carlisle during early May, 2022.
Mr Errington’s vehicle was struck by a speeding car whose driver, David Devoy, had a seizure at the wheel.
Mr Errington tragically died in hospital 10 days after the crash, the impact of which his partner likened to a bomb going off.
Epilepsy sufferer Devoy, of Sunderland, lied to the DVLA when told to give up his licence.
He later admitted fraud and causing Mr Errington’s death by dangerous driving, and was handed a prison sentence of six years, eight months.
Mr Cohen elected to hear inquests into the deaths of Mr and Mrs Evans, and Mr Errington, in succession because they raised what he called common issues.
In an official report published yesterday, Mr Cohen said: “Each of these three deaths occurred when a driver had a medical episode which caused them to lose control of their vehicle.
“In each case the drivers had been aware of their propensity to experience such episodes. In each case the drivers had been advised not to drive.
“In the course of the three inquests I heard evidence from doctors and officials at the DVLA on the manner in which drivers who have medical impairments are licensed.”
Currently, the coroner found, the DVLA placed an emphasis on the expectation that licence holders would honestly inform the DVLA of their respective medical conditions.
Mr Cohen said: “Each of these cases illustrate the problem with expecting that those who have medical impairments should self-refer to the DVLA.
“There will be cases where, despite repeated advice not to drive, a person is unable or unwilling to inform the DVLA of their situation.
“My concern is that this risks future deaths. I consider that whilst self-referral remains the default position, more drivers will be able to continue driving whilst endangering lawful road users.”
The law permits coroners to make reports to call for action in a bid to prevent future deaths.
In this case Mr Cohen is formally making such a request to the Secretary of State for Transport, concluding: “In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken.”
