After the deaths of a veterinarian and two dogs, the coroner made a ruling about the Doles Lane motor vehicle prohibition order.

In 2014, after three cars were floated over the Clifton Ford for three years, 56-year-old Barry Peck wrote an open letter to Derbyshire County Council. “Several individuals, including a little youngster, had to flee via their car’s sunroof in the most recent instance,” Mr. Peck said in letters that were published in Derbyshire Live. What may occur if they were without a sunroof is beyond me.”
Council agreed to notify drivers that they “do not need to travel this route” and to put up signs “just front of the Ford indicating that the road is prone to flooding.” Additionally
After more than two months, the council responded, saying that drivers “must bear personal responsibility for their conduct as always.”
In 2014, Mr. Peck, whose home confronts that ford, asked Clifton Parish Council and Derbyshire County Council for a depth gauge. He did not like the indicator that was put up on the website.

Sad Occurrence

Fast-moving floodwater on Doles Lane in Clifton, Ashbourne, caused tragedy in December 2018 when it crossed the road, killing 29-year-old veterinarian Heike Mojay-Sinclare and the two dogs in her car.

Mrs. Mojay-Sinclare’s inquest took place two years ago, and the inquiry that led to the prompt decision to block the road has now been deemed permanent. Instead, more signs need to be put up and some access requests need to be preserved.

On December 8, 2018, at 21:36 GMT, Heike Mojay-Sinclare reported to 999 that her car at Doles Lane, Derbyshire, had flooded up to her waist. While traveling to a thirty-first birthday celebration, the veterinarian became stuck in a black Honda Civic. Before the conversation terminated, the 29-year-old informed the operator that the water reached her chest.

“I am drowning,” she murmured.

Later, at the scene, the police and rescue crew searched for the automobile for hours. At 5:43 in the morning, a member of the water rescue team noticed the car beneath because the river had dropped by half a meter.The inquiry revealed that the car slipped and was found in a deeper area of the water. The pathologist reported that in addition to Mrs. Mojay-Sinclare, two dogs also perished in the water.

Soon after the accident, the road was closed, and the only people with access were the owners of the homes along it.

Court Cases and Judgments

The risks associated with the ford on this narrow path have already drawn the attention of locals to Derbyshire County Council. Derby Coroner’s Court was informed by local authorities, police, and residents that a depth gauge and warning signs did not meet the requirements of being “not fit for purpose,” and that multiple other automobiles have been locked at this crossing in the past.

The family’s attorney centered their arguments in a separate hearing on the use of warning signs and whether the stick-shaped depth gauge—installed in 2017 following the family’s incident—was sufficient. Coroner Peter Nieto, however, claimed that because to the extreme weather, taking appropriate safeguards was futile.

The jury subsequently found that Derbyshire County Council’s most acceptable depth gauge needed to be enlarged since it was not reflecting and was not long enough. The council added that they had been informed of previous stranding incidents, or that the ones they were aware of were not serious enough to justify closing the route.

Conclusion

“The rise in water levels must be considered a unique event due to the harsh weather. Thus, the report states that the county council did not commit any acts or omissions that contributed to the situation.

Two years later, during a meeting on Thursday, June 17, 2021, the county council will decide whether to prohibit all motor vehicles from utilizing the road. Bicycles and pedestrians could still use the lane, but cars would be prohibited from entering from either end. The council decided to number every Ford in the county going forward to make it easier for the public and emergency services to find them.

“This is a really tragic incident, and with the help of the emergency services, I think it is the right thing to do to accept the officer’s advice,” confirmed Kewal Singh Athwall, the chairman of the roads, assets, and transportation cabinet meeting.

Inconsistent Proof and Mr. Mojay

Firefighters had a difficult time locating Mrs. Mojay-Sinclare since she was driving to see friends for a 30th birthday celebration and was not sure exactly where she was. It was unknown why Mrs. Mojay took the route even though she had seen signs indicating the ford when she made her emergency call.

She was like a warm light in our lives, and even though she is no longer with us, a lot of us still find inspiration in her today. Her husband Chester released a statement saying, “The world had lost a sensitive, kind, and caring person.”

Following the Event

After the incident in December 2018, the Derbyshire fire department and local council assessed all 12 fords to make sure they were safe. But now that fords like the one on Doles Lane are signposted, individuals can find themselves and promptly provide this information to emergency services.

The route Riders Fellowship and the Green Lane Association objected to the route closure, describing it as an extreme measure. They claimed that since motorcycles and quad bikes are permitted, the decision to restrict motor vehicles should be made impartially.

H/T : Ozzackk.com