Coroner calls for mandatory seatbelts in motorhomes after three die in crash
A coroner has called for mandatory seatbelts in the back of motorhomes after a mother and her two young children died in a crash.
Coroner Alison Norton urged the government to introduce new laws around seatbelts in camper vans following the triple tragedy.
An inquest heard Shirley Hunt, 44, and her children Ellie, nine, and Oscar, five, all died in the freak crash in Yorkshire while returning from a family holiday.
Mrs Hunt and Ellie were not wearing seatbelts, it was heard.
The pair were sitting in the rear living area of the converted van and suffered multiple injuries which were “not survivable” and died instantly.
Under existing laws, there is no legal obligation to have seatbelts fitted in the back of motorhomes.
Ms Norton has now written a Prevention of Future Deaths Report to Transport Secretary Mark Harper MP, calling for a law change.
Ms Norton, assistant coroner for York and North Yorkshire, said more people’s lives are at risk under current laws.
The Northallerton inquest heard on August 24, 2021, the Hunt family’s motorhome crashed on the A64 in Barton Hill, north Yorks.
A tyre blew out, causing it to crash into a stationary HGV.
Serious injuries
Mrs Hunt’s husband Craig had been driving but survived, as did their six-year-old son. The pair, who were wearing seatbelts, suffered serious injuries.
Oscar was also wearing a seatbelt but died as a result of his injuries.
Ms Norton said although experts can’t be sure if Mrs Hunt and Ellie would have survived had they been wearing one, changes must be made to the law.
Ms Norton said in her report: “In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken.
“Evidence given during the inquest indicated that there is no legal obligation for seat belts to be fitted in the rear areas of motorhomes, for passengers to use when the vehicle is in motion.
“Whilst it was not possible to establish whether [Mrs Hunt and Ellie] would have survived the impact if [they] had been wearing a seatbelt, as a wider point of public safety, I am concerned that adults and children over three years can travel in the rear areas of motorhomes without restraint, and that in doing so, this may create a risk to life.”
The coroner said Mr Harper, Tory MP for Forest of Dean, has a duty to respond to her concerns by May 15.
The report was also sent to North Yorkshire Police.
