Background
John Coles, a 44-year-old British Airways engineer, tragically lost his life following a collision between two vehicles at Heathrow Airport. The inquest into his death, which concluded that visual interference was a contributory factor, has significant implications for night-time safety protocols at airports worldwide.
Incident Details
On February 14th, 2018, John Coles was driving a Renault Kangoo van at an uncontrolled crossing near Terminal 5 of Heathrow Airport when his vehicle collided with a Toyota Hilux safety vehicle driven by Geoffrey Foden, an employee of Heathrow Airport. The inquest revealed that visual interference caused by the night-time environment prevented Mr. Foden from seeing the Renault Kangoo.
Inquest Findings
The five-day inquest, led by Assistant Coroner Richard Furniss, concluded that John Coles' death was accidental. Key findings included:
- Visual Interference: The jury determined that visual interference from the night-time environment contributed to the collision.
- Collision Impact: Mr. Coles' van was struck at over 40 mph, causing significant damage and resulting in a ruptured aorta from fractured ribs.
- Immediate Aftermath: John Coles collapsed about an hour after the collision and did not regain consciousness.
PC Geoghegan, who investigated the collision, noted that although Mr. Foden had a clear line of sight for approximately nine or ten seconds before the crossing, factors such as darkness, terminal building illumination, and aircraft lights created visual challenges.
Implications and Actions
The findings from the inquest could have far-reaching implications for the use of uncontrolled crossings at night in airports globally. Heathrow Airports Limited (HAL) has stated they will review these crossings and consider licensing requirements for those using them. However, a decision on whether the coroner will issue a prevention of future deaths report is pending.
Family's Advocacy
Supported by Unite the Union and represented by Thompsons Solicitors, John Coles’ family is calling for immediate safety improvements:
- Implementation of Promised Changes: Mark Coles, John’s brother, emphasised the need for HAL to fulfil their commitments to prevent further fatalities.
- Holding HAL Accountable: The family and Unite the Union are determined to ensure that HAL implements the necessary safety measures without delay.
Mark Coles stated:
“These promises for improvements made today at the inquest cannot simply be to pacify the coroner. They must be promises for real change. The jury has been clear that the night-time environment caused visual interference, which caused my brother’s death. As a family, we will hold HAL’s feet to the fire until they make these changes to protect all those working at Heathrow Airport."
Legal and Union Support
Liam Kelly, regional legal coordinator at Unite the Union, expressed the union's commitment:
“Ensuring the well-being of our members and all Heathrow Airport employees is of utmost significance, and they must be able to return home safely after each shift. We will strive to hold Heathrow Airports Limited accountable for implementing the promised safety improvements. If there is any failure in delivering these crucial changes, we will defend our members' interests, as safety is non-negotiable.”
Kam Singh from Thompsons Solicitors, representing the Coles family, highlighted the importance of the inquest:
“After five and a half years of waiting, the family have finally got the information that they were denied for all this time. This inquest has finally made HAL realise they need to improve health and safety. However, it has taken over five years, and John’s mother is not here to hear the evidence of how her son died, having died last year. John was a member of the Unite union, this enabled John’s family to have the legal support necessary to be represented at this inquest and for the civil claim which was recently resolved.”
Conclusion
The tragic death of John Coles at Heathrow Airport underscores the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and training to prevent similar incidents. The inquest's findings on visual interference highlight the importance of revising night-time protocols for uncontrolled crossings at airports.