Essex Police tightens 999 location procedures after fatal crash

Summarised from 3 outlets · 7 reports · Updated 13 Nov, 22:02 · Archive

Essex Police has strengthened its 999 call handling procedures after a coroner found that confusion over emergency locations contributed to three deaths.

Essex Police has strengthened the way its 999 call handlers establish the location of emergencies following an inquest into a fatal crash on the A13. Three people—24-year-old Davina Kaur Ruprah, 36-year-old Kiranjeet Sagoo and 19-year-old Sachin Kalia—died at Wennington junction on the A13 westbound in Rainham on 15 July 2024. A jury concluded the fatal crash was caused by a driver losing control while travelling at high speed in adverse weather conditions.

The jury found the crash could have been avoided if a Ford Transit involved in an earlier collision had not been left on the central reservation, and if Metropolitan Police officers had been given the correct location and arrived in time to clear the first incident. The first collision occurred at about 9.12pm when a BMW 1 Series struck the Ford Transit, leaving the van on the central reservation and partially protruding into lane three.

A 999 call to the Metropolitan Police correctly identified the scene as Wennington junction between the A13 and A1306. However, officers were dispatched to an incorrect location after the computer system listed Dagenham junction as the possible location. A separate 999 call was made to Essex Police, and its call handler incorrectly identified the incident as being on Essex Police ground when it was actually within the Metropolitan Police area.

The joint inquest concluded on 16 March this year, with findings published on 12 November. Essex Police has responded by implementing changes to strengthen how its 999 call handlers establish emergency locations and providing additional training.

How it is being reported

• Police make 999 changes after location mix-up before fatal crashEssex Police strengthens 999 location checks and training after an inquest found confusion over a crash preceded three deaths at Rainham’s A13 on July 15, 2024.Colchester Gazette · 13 Nov, 15:40
• Police make 999 changes after location mix-up before fatal crashEssex Police strengthens 999 location checks and training after an inquest found confusion over a crash preceded three deaths at Rainham’s A13 on July 15, 2024.Echo (Basildon) · 13 Nov, 15:40
• Police make 999 changes after location mix-up before fatal crashEssex Police strengthens 999 location checks and training after an inquest found confusion over a crash preceded three deaths at Rainham’s A13 on July 15, 2024.Brentwood Guardian · 13 Nov, 15:40
• Large emergency services presence spotted on busy Colchester roadEssex Police attended Southway, Colchester, on November 11 after concerns for a woman’s welfare. She was spoken to and left in medical care.Colchester Gazette · 12 Nov, 15:30
• Air ambulance called to incident in Essex townEssex and Herts Air Ambulance was dispatched to an incident in Harlow on November 11; the nature remains unclear, with ambulance service comment sought.Colchester Gazette · 12 Nov, 11:31
• Air ambulance called to incident in Essex townEssex and Herts Air Ambulance was dispatched to an incident in Harlow on November 11; the nature remains unclear, with ambulance service comment sought.Brentwood Guardian · 12 Nov, 11:31
• Air ambulance called to incident in Essex townEssex and Herts Air Ambulance was dispatched to an incident in Harlow on November 11; the nature remains unclear, with ambulance service comment sought.Echo (Basildon) · 12 Nov, 11:31

In this story: Essex Police · Metropolitan Police · Rainham · A13 · Davina Kaur Ruprah · Kiranjeet Sagoo · Sachin Kalia

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