'Mound of earth' could be removed after fatal crash

A coroner has called for National Highways to take action to prevent future deaths on a stretch of motorway after a teenager was killed in a crash.

Patrick Mongan, 18, was a enger in an Audi being driven by his brother John, 19, when it left the M18 between Doncaster and Rotherham last September.

An inquest previously heard the car hit a mound of grass on the central reservation which caused it to become "airborne" before it landed in woodland some 42 metres away.

Following its conclusion, senior coroner Nicola Mundy said the presence of the mound placed "road s at risk". National Highways said it would be providing a "comprehensive response" to her concerns.

The inquest, which was held at Doncaster Coroner's Court last week, heard the Audi was travelling at about 100mph when the crash happened and that both men were thrown from the car.

The hearing was told Patrick died instantly while John remained in a serious condition in hospital and had not yet been told of Patrick's death.

The brothers, from Cottenham, Cambridgeshire, had been at a pub in the Doncaster area.

South Yorkshire Police forensic collision investigator Steven Gardner told the inquest the manner of driving was the "sole causation" of the crash, although the mound has also posed a hazard.

Ms Mundy's call for National Highways to take action was raised in a prevention of future deaths report.

In it, she said the forensic collision investigator had advised the "mound of earth creates a continuing hazard to motorway s and any vehicle which might have legitimate cause to veer to the central reservation and in doing so strikes the mound".

She said even if a vehicle was travelling within the speed limit "it would be subjected to the same effect on the vehicle (in that control of the vehicle would be lost) with potentially catastrophic effects".

The coroner added: "The continued presence of this hazard (the mound of earth) places road s at risk of death."

A spokesperson for National Highways said: "Any death on our roads is one too many and our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Patrick Mongan.

"We are reviewing the coroner's comments and will provide a comprehensive response to the report."

The report said National Highways had 56 days to respond to its recommendations.

It stated: "Your response must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, setting out the timetable for action.

"Otherwise you must explain why no action is proposed."

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