The police would appreciate anyone who saw the accident or who can throw any further light on the incident contacting them via phone calling 101 quoting Incident number 72 of 11-Feb-2015
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NB.:
Updates improve the accuracy of the report as further details become apparent. I have been asked (at this stage) not to name the unfortunate fatality, nor his home location, by his family, who are apparently pleased to see the state of the car which offers some comfort as it makes it apparent that their relation’s death was likely to have been immediate and without suffering.
.
Hi,
at shortly after 07.45hrs. this morning 11-Feb-2015
there was a fatal road accident, in Stroat on the A48, near the junction with Rosemary Lane, immediately outside the Stroat mission which is approximately 1/2 a mile from Hanley Farm Shop.
Anyone who saw the accident is requested to contact the blog owner and I will ensure any details are relayed to the police.
Here is the remaining car of 3 involved (according to the police at the scene) at about 13.00hrs.
The recovery vehicle on the left is in the process of loading a dark coloured vehicle and the vehicle on the right, which would seem to have been literally slammed into on the right side (drivers) and was seemingly hit at speed.
There are signs of foam or some such on the road and pavement but there seems no sign of serious fire in this vehicle, which has lost its front wing and door and most of the bonnet and engine seem seriously damaged.I will provide more information as it comes to hand but our thoughts are with the family left behind by this (these?) fatality.The fatality, or one of is, I gather, from hear say, a 20 year old male travelling from Chepstow.
The road reopened at just before 14.00hrs.
.
UPDATE 22.00hrs.
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A 21 year old man who was travelling from Chepstow, who was the driver and sole occupant of a Fiat Punto died in a collision with a BMW with 4 occupants, travelling from Lydney on the A48, in the immediate area of the mission in Stroat.
SUBSEQUENT DETAIL ADDED:
The accident occurred just before 08.00hrs. Wednesday 11-Feb-2015. The occupants of the BMW, which was being driven by Alexander Hardman, well known in Lydney, and his passengers, three children.
The occupants were taken to hospital but none was detained at Lydney Hospital where they were initially treated with consequential injuries. Mr. Hardman and his two youngest children were transfered as emergencies to hospital in Bristol.
We understand that the 9 year old boy in the front seat suffered bruising but no consequential injuries. The car was on route from Lydney to take the 9 year old to school at St. John’s on The Hill, on Castleford Hill, Chepstow.
Police, ambulance, fire service and recovery vehicles attended the accident.The next of kin of the young man fatally injured have been informed.
.
The police would appreciate anyone who saw the accident or who can throw any further light on the incident contacting them via phone calling 101 quoting Incident number 72 of 11-Feb-2015.
.
FURTHER UPDATE 19:00hrs. 12-Feb-2015
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Initial information yesterday indicated that all four occupants of the BMW, who were of the same family, were not seriously injured.The accident is now believed to have been just after 08:00hrs., though when I heard it I thought it was a couple of minutes earlier.A sad update, that has come to light, is that one of the children in the BMW was subsequently found to have been more seriously injured than was first believed and the 2.1/2 year old is now considered critical; the 25 year old driver of the BMW has also transpired to be more seriously injured though his injuries are not considered life threatening; as with the 3 year old.The fourth family member in the BMW was a 9 year old boy in the front passenger seat who suffered minor injuries, however all three children were still in The Bristol Children’s Hospital earlier today and the driver was in the BRI.We must hope that all four of them survive and make a speedy recovery..
UPDATE
20:00hrs. 18-Feb-2015
Man killed in collision in Stroat named as Oliver Davis
An inquest was opened at Gloucestershire Coroners’ Court yesterday.
THE 21-year-old man who died in a crash on the A48 at Stroat on Wednesday has been named as Oliver Jai Davis.
Mr Davis, from Cardiff, died when the Fiat Punto he was driving was in collision with a BMW shortly after 8am.
An inquest was opened at Gloucestershire Coroners’ Court yesterday.
Three occupants of the BMW remain in hospital, including a two-year-old boy, who is in a critical condition with serious injuries, a three-year-old boy who is being monitored, and the 25-year-old male driver.
A nine-year-old boy has now been discharged. The occupants of the BMW are all part of the same family.
Police continue to urge any witnesses who haven’t come forward to call 101 and quote incident 72 of 11 February.
I note this report spelt the surname Davis when I am reliably informed it is in fact Davies.
In a letter to parents, David Gaston the headteacher at Dean Academy, where Oliver Davies had recently joined the staff teaching in the maths department, said 21-year-old Mr Davies had established himself as a popular teacher.
Students at Dean academy were able to speak to bereavement counsellors and all pupils who had been in one of Mr Davies’s classes were spoken to directly.
Mr Gaston wrote:
“Although he had only been with us for a few weeks, Oliver had already established himself in the maths faculty and judging by the response of students who he taught, he was a popular young teacher, professional and friendly.”
UPDATE 16:20hrs. 21-Feb-2015
‘You were our star, our sun, our moon, our everything’: Family pays tribute to trainee maths teacher killed in car crash
Oliver Jai Davies, who died on his way to work, was a much loved and idolised big brother, his grieving family said
Trainee maths teacher Oliver “Ollie” Jai Davies, from St Mellons, Cardiff, who died in a car accident on the way to work
The family of an aspiring young maths teacher from Cardiff, killed in a car collision, have paid tribute to their “adored son and idolised big brother.”
Oliver Jai Davies, 21, who was known to friends as “Ollie” died instantly when the Fiat Punto he was driving collided with another vehicle on his way to work as a trainee secondary school maths teacher.
The Swansea University graduate, who lived in St Mellons with his family, loved maths and was studying for a PGCE to teach the subject, said grieving mother Trudy Davies.
Ollie had been on work placement for just two weeks at Dean Academy in Lydney, Gloucesterhire, when the accident happened on the A48 at Stroat in the Forest of Dean on February 11.
The aspiring teacher, who graduated from Swansea University last year, spent the Christmas term on work placement at Llanwern High School in Newport and loved passing on his passion for maths, said his family.
‘A real zest for life’
“He had settled in extremely well at the school and loved his work. We don’t know how or why he had this tragic accident. He was driving alone and was killed instantly,” his mother said.
“Ollie was someone with a real zest for life. There were never enough hours in the day for him. He had this way of reaching out to people. He would have been a very good teacher.
“We had a very close relationship and shared everything.”
Trudy said Ollie’s younger brothers Harry, 14 and Jack, 11, who idolised him, and her partner Lee Jones, Ollie’s father figure from the age of seven, were all devastated.
‘Our star, our sun, our moon, our everything’
In a tribute the whole family said: “You were our star, our sun, our moon, our everything.
“From first thing in the morning to last thing at night all we wanted to do was love you and hold you tight.”
A member of the 16th company Boys Brigade in St Mellons from the age of seven, Ollie, a former pupil at Bishop Childs Church in Wales Primary and St Teilo’s Church in Wales High School, later joined the 21st Boys Brigade in Whitchurch.
As an active member of Ararat Baptist Church in Whitchurch he played defence for the church football team where he was known for his bright orange boots.
Hundreds of people are expected at his funeral, being held at the church on February 26.
‘A celebration of his life’
Friends have been asked not to wear funeral clothes but to wear orange and blue, Ollie’s favourite colours.
“Oliver was everything. He had this way of reaching out to people,” said Trudy.
“We don’t know how or why he had this tragic accident.
“We want his funeral to be an intimate, joyous celebration of his life.
“We are just grateful we had such a close relationship in the time we had.”
An inquest into Oliver’s death was opened and adjourned at Gloucester Coroner’s Court on February 16.
Gloucestershire Police confirmed it is carrying out an on-going investigation into the collision, which happened shortly after 8am on February 11.
Three occupants of the other car involved, a BMW, remain in hospital, including a two-year-old boy, who is in a critical condition with serious injuries, a three-year-old boy who is being monitored, and the 25-year-old male driver.
A nine-year-old boy also in the BMW, has been discharged from hospital. The occupants of the BMW are all part of the same family.
The police would appreciate anyone who saw the accident or who can throw any further light on the incident contacting them via phone: Call – 101 quoting Incident number 72 of 11-Feb-2015
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Fiat Punto after apparent head on crash with BMW
We note with concern that areas of ‘Social Media’ would seem to indicate that numerous individuals are claiming that both the young drivers were in some way at fault, due to irresponsible driving and speeding –
PLEASE NOTE there is no evidence whatsoever in the public domain that would indicate this to be the case.
Oliver Davies had driven along this road from Cardiff to work in Lydney regularly and the BMW regularly drove his children to school on Castleford Hill. Therefore I condemn the claims which are totally irresponsible, not founded on verifiable facts in the public domain and mindlessly hurtfull to the families and friends of the victims of this sad accident.
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The verdict of the Coroner’s Court will be announced when available and appropriate, together with any apportionment of blame, if made public.
UPDATE SUBSEQUENT TO 04-Sep-2015 – Coroners Court report
No answers after Swansea University graduate’s death in road crash
Swansea University graduate Oliver Davis died in the crash near Stroat, Gloucestershire, in February.
The family of a 21-year-old Swansea University graduate are still looking for answers over why he died in a car crash.
Trainee maths teacher Oliver Davis was heading to Dean Academy in Lydney, Gloucestershire, when his Fiat Punto collided with a BMW near Stroat Evangelical Church, between Lydney and Chepstow.
Mr Davis suffered a fractured skull and died almost instantly while three children in the BMW, aged two, three, and nine, were left with ‘significant injuries’.
An inquest ruled there was no significant evidence to conclude what caused Mr Davis to veer on to the other side of the road. His inquest heard there were no traces of drugs or alcohol in his system and there was no evidence to suggest he was using his mobile phone before the collision.
BMW driver Alexander Hardman, who suffered a fractured foot and rib in the collision on February 11 this year, said: “He was coming towards me on my side of the road from about 10 or 15 yards away. I can’t remember the original impact.”
The BMW ended up spinning 180 degrees while Mr Davis’ car landed on its side.
Crash investigator PC Malcolm Shute said he could not ascertain the speed Mr Davis was driving but said he “did not look to be in a hurry”.
The court heard from Mr Davis’ GP who said his patient had ‘fainted’ twice last year, which may have been the result of a hypoglycaemic shock – the result of a lack of sugar in a diabetes sufferer’s bloodstream.
But blood tests could not be taken after Mr Davis’ death and coroner Katie Skerrett concluded his death was caused by a road traffic collision.
She told the family: “There’s no clear evidence on why he crossed the carriageway.
“I am afraid I can’t give you the definitive answer you are searching for.
“I can only give you my sincerest condolences for your loss.”
After the inquest, Mr Davis’ mum Trudy thanked everyone involved in her son’s case.
“To say the tragic accident that unfolded destroyed our world and rocked the Hardman family is an understatement,” she said.
“Sadly, the inquest has not reached a conclusion and neither does it bring Oliver back.
“We will not be able to enjoy many things we planned to do with Oliver but are grateful for having him in our lives for nearly 22 years.”
Wow what a evil man you are posting pictures of the accident aftermath and the car. How would you feel if this was your family member and other people were happily posting these pics online. Making assumptions too that the other car was the one speeding. And then asking for witnesses to contact you not the police?!
thank you for your measured and thoughtful opinion.
I guess we all have opinions of the meaning of evil based upon our personal experiences in life!
I would feel perfectly at ease if I was killed in a RTA for the state of the vehicle to be shown as an object lesson that might save any further loss of life.
In some countries the vehicles are left at the site of the accident for some considerable time, as a safety object lesson to other drivers, in an effort to save lives.
I did NOT assume the other vehicle was speeding and clearly stated that the vehicle shown had been slammed into, which was obvious from the extensive damage.
Two vehicles traveling at 30 miles per hour have an impact speed of 60mph! The damage seen indicated inappropriate speed pertained.
At the time that I reported on the accident it seemed appropriate to gain any information I could to pass on to the police, who were still in situ – as soon as possible afterwards I added the police contact details and the reference number of the accident, for those who wanted to supply the police with further details.
I believe my actions and the manner in which I acted was measured and appropriate, and I had deliberately waited to photograph the event until all those involved were no longer at the scene and all ambulances had left.
You will no doubt have noted that mainstream media used photographs of the aftermath of the RTA in Bath which killed 4 people in Bath, as with the garbage truck that mowed down 7 pedestrians in Glasgow immediately prior to Christmas.
You may also remember the dramatic footage of the helicopter that crashed on the roof of the pub in Glasgow and more recently the Asian Airways plane that went down in the sea, where we have had footage of pieces of plane and body bags etc. etc.
Need I go on to evicerate your contention, which I found gratuitously offensive.
I trust this helps you to understand the posting which I made.
Can you also confirm you had both the police and FAMILIES permission to post this picture? You actually asked if you could post a picture showing the vehicle in which he died?
Also what officer did you talk to about this accident? Given your comments on speed. Or what are you road traffic accident investigation qualifications and experience to make such wide sweeping statements as this?
I believe I have dealt with your concerns in some detail already.
As to my experience – some 50 years of driving experience in around 20 countries with passenger experience in approaching 50.
As to my comments on speed you will note I made no sweeping statement as I clearly stated:
“which would seem to have been literally slammed into on the right side (drivers) was seemingly hit at speed.”
You will appreciate I do not agree with either the tone or the content of your opinion but I fully endorse your right to voice your opinion – just as I trust you endorse my right to the right of freedom of speech based upon my opinion and experience.
Thank you for your attention to the details provided.
This was my one of my best friends and i feel sick looking at the picture.. can i firstly clarify that he was 21 and from south wales and he was the biggest young gentleman of our era and the kindest young man you will ever meet. people,family and friends will see this picture and the “dashing reports” you made. everyone is entitled to there opinion and free speech.
Also the other car that contained those 4 people you mentioned were most certainly not cleared and a 2 year old remains in a critical condition so the situation remains a horrid nightmare for everyone all round.
I have published an update when the new information became available, having published the facts as publicly known yesterday there were various errors which have been corrected and I note the media has also published corrections of their earlier information.
If you have further information that would improve the accuracy please do not hesitate to contact me.
Wow you have experience of driving round a number of countries, but avoided the answer about family permission to show the picture. And use other accidents as examples for your abuse of this mans death.
Please do let me know when your cancer comes back so I can hold a party.
I appreciate that you may well be upset by the accident but do you really believe that justifies you demeaning yourself with your offensive comments?
You must consider who you believe is acting in an offensive way and whose comments are the most inappropriate and inexcusable!
I would contend Sarah Morgan that your vile and irresponsible comments bring shame on you yourself and risk besmirching the memory of the unfortunate young man who died and may well distress his family and true friends.
Sadly your intemperate and irresponsible behaviour is all too similar to the foul language and abusive comments of some odious woman who called me yesterday but was too ashamed to give her name!
Or the anonymised comment containing abuse and expletives which I have deleted, as neither of you seem to have reflected the style or manner of the popular and responsible young man who has been described to me by his true friends and on behalf of his family.
I have endeavoured to assist you in every reasonable way to contexturalise your comments.
I have made such updates as have come to light, you will note. You may also have noted the inaccuracies of the initial mainstream media reports which they too have corrected.
Fiat Punto after apparent head on crash with BMW
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STROAT - Gloucestershire - Forest of Dean 
Wow what a evil man you are posting pictures of the accident aftermath and the car. How would you feel if this was your family member and other people were happily posting these pics online. Making assumptions too that the other car was the one speeding. And then asking for witnesses to contact you not the police?!
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Hi,
thank you for your measured and thoughtful opinion.
I guess we all have opinions of the meaning of evil based upon our personal experiences in life!
I would feel perfectly at ease if I was killed in a RTA for the state of the vehicle to be shown as an object lesson that might save any further loss of life.
In some countries the vehicles are left at the site of the accident for some considerable time, as a safety object lesson to other drivers, in an effort to save lives.
I did NOT assume the other vehicle was speeding and clearly stated that the vehicle shown had been slammed into, which was obvious from the extensive damage.
Two vehicles traveling at 30 miles per hour have an impact speed of 60mph! The damage seen indicated inappropriate speed pertained.
At the time that I reported on the accident it seemed appropriate to gain any information I could to pass on to the police, who were still in situ – as soon as possible afterwards I added the police contact details and the reference number of the accident, for those who wanted to supply the police with further details.
I believe my actions and the manner in which I acted was measured and appropriate, and I had deliberately waited to photograph the event until all those involved were no longer at the scene and all ambulances had left.
You will no doubt have noted that mainstream media used photographs of the aftermath of the RTA in Bath which killed 4 people in Bath, as with the garbage truck that mowed down 7 pedestrians in Glasgow immediately prior to Christmas.
You may also remember the dramatic footage of the helicopter that crashed on the roof of the pub in Glasgow and more recently the Asian Airways plane that went down in the sea, where we have had footage of pieces of plane and body bags etc. etc.
Need I go on to evicerate your contention, which I found gratuitously offensive.
I trust this helps you to understand the posting which I made.
Regards,
Greg_L-W.
LikeLike
Can you also confirm you had both the police and FAMILIES permission to post this picture? You actually asked if you could post a picture showing the vehicle in which he died?
Also what officer did you talk to about this accident? Given your comments on speed. Or what are you road traffic accident investigation qualifications and experience to make such wide sweeping statements as this?
LikeLike
Hi,
thank you again for your comments.
I believe I have dealt with your concerns in some detail already.
As to my experience – some 50 years of driving experience in around 20 countries with passenger experience in approaching 50.
As to my comments on speed you will note I made no sweeping statement as I clearly stated:
“which would seem to have been literally slammed into on the right side (drivers) was seemingly hit at speed.”
You will appreciate I do not agree with either the tone or the content of your opinion but I fully endorse your right to voice your opinion – just as I trust you endorse my right to the right of freedom of speech based upon my opinion and experience.
Thank you for your attention to the details provided.
Regards,
Greg_L-W.
LikeLike
This was my one of my best friends and i feel sick looking at the picture.. can i firstly clarify that he was 21 and from south wales and he was the biggest young gentleman of our era and the kindest young man you will ever meet. people,family and friends will see this picture and the “dashing reports” you made. everyone is entitled to there opinion and free speech.
LikeLike
Hi,
sorry to hear of your personal loss Gareth and I am happy to place on record your added details of the poor young man.
You will note that I have published further details as they have come to light to improve the accuracy of the initial report of the tragic accident.
Regards,
Greg_L-W.
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Also the other car that contained those 4 people you mentioned were most certainly not cleared and a 2 year old remains in a critical condition so the situation remains a horrid nightmare for everyone all round.
LikeLike
Hi,
thanks for the additional details and update.
I have published an update when the new information became available, having published the facts as publicly known yesterday there were various errors which have been corrected and I note the media has also published corrections of their earlier information.
If you have further information that would improve the accuracy please do not hesitate to contact me.
Regards,
Greg_L-W.
LikeLike
Wow you have experience of driving round a number of countries, but avoided the answer about family permission to show the picture. And use other accidents as examples for your abuse of this mans death.
Please do let me know when your cancer comes back so I can hold a party.
LikeLike
Hi,
I appreciate that you may well be upset by the accident but do you really believe that justifies you demeaning yourself with your offensive comments?
You must consider who you believe is acting in an offensive way and whose comments are the most inappropriate and inexcusable!
I would contend Sarah Morgan that your vile and irresponsible comments bring shame on you yourself and risk besmirching the memory of the unfortunate young man who died and may well distress his family and true friends.
Sadly your intemperate and irresponsible behaviour is all too similar to the foul language and abusive comments of some odious woman who called me yesterday but was too ashamed to give her name!
Or the anonymised comment containing abuse and expletives which I have deleted, as neither of you seem to have reflected the style or manner of the popular and responsible young man who has been described to me by his true friends and on behalf of his family.
I have endeavoured to assist you in every reasonable way to contexturalise your comments.
I have made such updates as have come to light, you will note. You may also have noted the inaccuracies of the initial mainstream media reports which they too have corrected.
Regards,
Greg_L-W.
LikeLike