Mum sues County Council over death of daughter
Jun 20 2009 by Brian Daniel, The Journal
THE mother of a young Northumberland woman who died in a car accident last year has begun legal proceedings.
Jan Baird is suing Northumberland County Council and Northumbrian Water over the death of Claire Louise Hughes, 24, of Prudhoe. Miss Hughes was travelling home from work, as waitress and barmaid at the Queen’s Head in Great Whittington, last December when she crashed into a stone bridge on a road between Harlow Hill and Horsley.
An inquest last month heard how Miss Hughes skidded on black ice, formed by surface water failing to drain away in sub-zero temperatures – because of an ongoing dispute between the council and the water company, which owns adjacent fields.
A drain had once run along the boundary of Northumbrian’s Water’s land, carrying surface water to a nearby watercourse. This had been destroyed when the council resurfaced the road several years ago, and neither body took responsibility for restoring it.
Ms Baird was told by a collision investigator at the hearing that her daughter would have had more chance of surviving had there been no surface water on the road.
She said: “In taking legal action, I’m not focused on monetary gain at all.
“It’s about two major bodies standing up and being counted for the loss of a life. It all comes down to money with them, but Claire has left behind three sisters and a brother, and she was herself thinking of starting a family.
“We’re totally bereft, living moment to moment and day to day. That will never change. Someone must put up their hands and admit that they should have taken more care.”
The inquest, at which a verdict of accidental death was recorded, heard how Claire braked, which caused her Renault Clio to skid and spin out of control. Police and paramedics arrived, but Miss Hughes died of a ruptured liver on the way to Newcastle General Hospital.
Ms Baird has contacted law firm Ward Hadaway, which has agreed to represent her in a claim for damages for bereavement and loss.
A spokesman for the council said: “An incident of this nature is always tragic, and our thoughts are with the family.
“We will be looking at the conclusions of the inquest and considering any action that should be taken. However if this is to be the subject of a legal investigation we will be unable to make any further comment at this stage.”
A spokesman for Northumbrian Water said: “This is a tragic accident. We understand investigations are in hand and we will await the outcome, but we believe that it is not helpful to, and we are not able to, comment any further.”
