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Photographs recently made public reveal a stretch of road full of potholes just days before a tragic accident occurred, where a speeding car hit one of the damaged sections and veered into a river, resulting in the deaths of two teenagers. The incident happened on 17 March on North Brink near Wisbech in Cambridgeshire. An 18-year-old driver, Declan Berry, was driving a VW Polo at approximately 90mph (145km/h) shortly before the vehicle left the road and plunged into the River Nene. He and one of his passengers lost their lives in the crash.
Records show that Cambridgeshire County Council had identified the poor state of the road earlier and raised repair orders for 98 potholes along this part of North Brink. This maintenance work had been planned to commence on 3 April. The council explained that repair schedules follow their usual maintenance procedures and timeframes. Photographic evidence, obtained by the BBC through Freedom of Information requests, depicts the road conditions as noted during a council site visit just four days before the fatal crash.
The repairs to the potholes were carried out on 20 March, while the road was closed in the aftermath of the collision. During an inquest held last month, it was revealed that of the five people in the car, three passengers managed to escape unharmed. Sadly, 16-year-old Eden Bunn, who was seated in the rear, died from head injuries sustained in the crash. The body of Declan Berry was not recovered until two weeks after the tragic event. Testimonies from the inquest included one passenger recalling asking Berry to reduce speed, to which the driver replied, “We will be fine.” It was also noted that the posted speed limit on this road is 60mph (96km/h).
Further investigation found that Berry’s excessive speed was the primary factor contributing to the crash, although the poor road condition and presence of potholes also played a significant part. Prior to the accident, Cambridgeshire County Council had received 127 complaints detailing issues such as potholes, mud, and debris on this stretch of roadway. The council’s spokesperson expressed condolences to the families affected and emphasized their commitment to safety, noting that urgent road defects are addressed within two hours and fully repaired within five days. The council acknowledged the coroner’s conclusion that the poor road condition contributed more than minimally to the crash
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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