Inquest adjourned into A345 van death of Shane Simmonds

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 26 Oct, 12:28 · Archive

The inquest into the death of 31-year-old Shane Allen Simmonds, struck by a van on the A345 in November 2022, has been adjourned after his family sought further information.

Shane Allen Simmonds, aged 31, died after being struck by a Transit van on the A345 Countess Road in the early hours of November 13, 2022. The inquest was held at Wiltshire and Swindon Coroner's Court in Salisbury on October 22 before area coroner Ian Singleton. It has been adjourned after his family sought further information.

Witnesses told the inquest they saw a man matching Mr Simmonds' description stumbling into the road at around midnight, appearing to be drunk and attempting to stop motorists for a lift. Other witnesses were travelling in a Peugeot behind a Ford Transit van on the A345. They said the van was travelling at normal speed before it stopped and the driver put the hazard lights on and got out of the vehicle.

The Peugeot then overtook the van. Those inside saw a man lying in the carriageway surrounded by debris. Passengers got out to provide first aid and CPR and contacted the emergency services. Mr Simmonds was pronounced dead at around 1pm, shortly after paramedics arrived.

The inquest heard the stretch of road had no street lighting and the van driver had been using dipped headlights. The driver returned negative roadside drug screenings and was subsequently arrested on suspicion of driving while disqualified and driving the vehicle without the owner's consent.

Mr Simmonds' family paid tribute to a man who 'embraced everyone, friend or foe' and was the 'life and soul of the party'.

How it is being reported

• 'Loving' family man died after being hit by a van on major A-roadThe inquest into the death of a man who was struck by a van on the A345 has been adjourned after his family sought further information.Gazette & Herald · 26 Oct, 12:03
• 'Loving' family man died after being hit by a van on major A-roadThe inquest into the death of a man who was struck by a van on the A345 has been adjourned after his family sought further information.Wiltshire Times · 26 Oct, 12:03
• Inquest into A345 death of 'loving' man adjourned for further investigationThe inquest into the death of 31-year-old Shane Allen Simmonds, who was struck by a van on the A345, has been adjourned after his family sought further information.Salisbury Journal · 26 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Shane Allen Simmonds · A345 Countess Road · Wiltshire and Swindon Coroner's Court · Salisbury

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