Report of a man killed in area with broken street lights

A 63-year-old man lost his life after being struck by a vehicle on a section of road where several street lights were not functioning, according to a coroner's statement.

John Hickmott died on the evening of 19 February, around 19:15 GMT, while crossing the V11 Tongwell Street in Northfield, Milton Keynes. Adam Smith, assistant coroner for Milton Keynes, explained that the driver only noticed Mr. Hickmott at the very last moment. The vehicle was travelling below the 60mph speed limit and the driver attempted evasive action, according to a prevention-of-future-deaths report.

Mr. Hickmott sustained multiple fractures and cardiogenic shock after being hit, leading to his death at the scene. At the time of the collision, the street light directly above the area was out. The nearest functioning lights were 75 meters and 105 meters away in opposite directions.

The report noted that Mr. Hickmott had been seen moments earlier staggering on the grass verge and stepping into the road, and there were indications he might have been intoxicated.

Documents from Milton Keynes City Council revealed that multiple street lights on the V11 had previously been reported as faulty. The documents stated that several lamps on both sides of V11 were permanently out between the two Northfield Drive turnings. The council highlighted that this dark stretch, combined with poorly lit turnings, made the road particularly hazardous.

At the time, the council's procedure required a block of five faulty lights to be repaired within 14 days of being reported, and three individual lights within 28 days. Coroner Smith expressed concern about the delays in repairs and the level of proactive inspections to identify defective street lights. He has requested information on the steps Milton Keynes City Council is taking to ensure compliance with its own procedures. The authority has 56 days from the report date to respond.

Analysis: Street Lighting Failures and Road Safety Risks

The tragic death of John Hickmott highlights persistent safety risks on poorly lit roads. The coroner's report emphasizes that several street lights on V11 Tongwell Street were non-functional, creating a dark stretch that contributed to the incident.

Although the driver was below the 60mph speed limit and attempted evasive action, visibility was insufficient. The proximity of the nearest working lights, 75 and 105 meters away, was clearly inadequate for spotting pedestrians in time.

Milton Keynes City Council’s maintenance procedures allow up to 28 days to repair individual faulty lights, but delays and a lack of proactive inspections may leave dangerous gaps unaddressed. The coroner has formally requested updates on compliance with these procedures, highlighting the need for stricter monitoring and faster response to reported faults.

This case underscores the intersection of infrastructure maintenance and public safety, illustrating how even minor delays in street light repairs can have fatal consequences.

Sources:

• Man killed where street lights were broken - report