3 October 2008
IPCC concludes its investigation into a serious road traffic incident in Dyfed-Powys
The Independent Police Complaints Commission has concluded its investigation into an incident on 3 February 2008 where a member of the public was hit by a vehicle and seriously injured on the A40, following a number of 999 calls to Dyfed-Powys Police.
The 44-year-old Llanelli man was hit by a vehicle on the A40 eastbound carriageway near the St Clears slip road at approximately 9.15pm on 3 February. He continues to receive treatment.
The independent investigation found that mistakes were made by two communications operators but this did not amount to misconduct.
The investigation also made a number of local recommendations about call handling, which the force has accepted and has begun to implement:
- The Force is already undertaking a review of working practices within the force communications centre as well as a project in relation to professionalising customer services
- Since this incident the force has invested in a comprehensive training programme to increase the requisite skills for call handlers and dispatchers as well as front line supervisors
- The practise of two divisions being monitored by one dispatcher is being reviewed internally and in partnership with outside consultants to profile resources against demand.
IPCC Commissioner for Wales Tom Davies said: “I wish the gentleman concerned a speedy recovery from his injuries. The IPCC has met with him and his family to explain the outcome of our investigation.
“This was a busy road and the gentleman had put himself in a dangerous situation. After arrival at the location the police officers would have had to ensure that they were safe from passing traffic to get to him.
“Sending a police car to the wrong location meant that it took 21 minutes instead of the 12 minutes it could have taken, but we cannot say whether the crash could have been prevented.”
The report is published on our website - click on the link www.ipcc.gov.uk
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Notes for editors
The IPCC issued the following news release on 18 February 2008:
PR 1095 IPCC to independently investigate a serious road traffic incident in Dyfed-Powys
The Independent Police Complaints Commission is independently investigating an incident where a member of the public was hit by a vehicle and seriously injured on the A40, following a number of 999 calls to Dyfed-Powys Police.
The 44-year-old Llanelli man was hit by a vehicle on the A40 eastbound carriageway near the St Clears slip road at approximately 9.15pm on 3 February. He was taken to the West Wales hospital, Carmarthen, where he continues to receive treatment.
Four separate emergency calls were made by members of the public to Dyfed-Powys Police reporting sightings of a man 'presenting a hazard' to motorists. A fifth call reported that the man had been struck by a vehicle and that an ambulance was required.
After two emergency calls a police patrol vehicle was despatched to investigate. It appears that the police vehicle was initially sent to a different location from that reported to the force.
IPCC Commissioner for Wales Tom Davies said: ”My sympathy goes to this man’s family and friends and I hope that he recovers from the injuries he suffered.
“A number of members of the public were sufficiently concerned to call the police to report a man 'presenting a hazard' on a busy dual carriageway. Unfortunately, the police response was unable to prevent a serious collision taking place.
“The IPCC investigation will seek to establish what happened in this incident, and will review the force’s control room policies and procedures. We will of course make a public statement in due course to share the investigation findings.”
For further information please contact:
Regional Communications Officer David Nicholson on 02920 245464/07717 851 223. For urgent out-of-hours enquiries would journalists please call the IPCC duty press officer on 07717 851 157.