A Norwich City supporter who was driving home from a match tragically drowned in a river after encountering a road closure sign that had been left face down near Shotesham Ford, a coroners’ court heard. Barry Howard, aged 75, lost his life on December 13 when his car was swept 30 meters into the River Tas near Newton Flotman.
During the inquest, Norfolk County Council admitted uncertainty about how the sign had ended up on the verge of Mill Lane and acknowledged it was actively working on a permanent safety solution. Area coroner Samantha Goward expressed concern over the council’s response to the incident, emphasizing the need for preventive measures to avoid similar tragedies in the future.
The court learned that Norfolk Police had been called to nine prior incidents involving vehicles trapped at the ford. On the day of the incident, no warning signs indicating the ford were visible until Howard was already surrounded by water, which measured 0.8 meters deep at its center.
In a statement, Howard’s family described the night as “awful,” expressing their belief that he was unaware of the road’s characteristics and lacked sufficient information to assess the risks involved.
Norfolk County Council disclosed that on October 21, it had been instructed by the police to close Mill Lane due to heavy rainfall. An emergency closure sign and plastic barriers were promptly installed by the highways department, which remained in place until Howard’s tragic death seven weeks later.
During questioning by Howard’s family, David Jacklin, council area highways manager, acknowledged that while a more permanent solution could have been pursued during those weeks, it was not followed through with further action. Jacklin attributed this lapse to oversight and limited resources within the emergency highways team, consisting of only four personnel.
Concrete barriers have since been installed at the ford as a temporary measure until a permanent safety solution is implemented. The council indicated ongoing efforts to develop long-term safety measures, including the potential use of automated signs that activate when floodwater exceeds safe levels.
The coroner’s investigation concluded with a narrative verdict, attributing Howard’s death to a combination of factors including inadequate warning signage and the road closure status. Coroner Goward announced her intention to issue a prevention of future deaths report to the council, which would require a response within 56 days.
Barry Howard, remembered as a retired company director and avid golfer, was eulogized by his family as a loving father, grandfather, and sociable individual who would readily befriend anyone he encountered. His tragic passing serves as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety measures and adequate signage to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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