An emergency response vehicle dispatched to assist a pedestrian was tragically among four vehicles that struck and killed a man on an unlit stretch of the A120 in Essex, an inquest has heard. Edward Langstone, 55, suffered multiple unsurvivable injuries after being hit by a marked Essex Police car and three other motorists on January 3 during the early morning hours.
During the hearing at Essex Coroner’s Court in Chelmsford, Area Coroner Michelle Brown detailed the sequence of events. Emergency responders had been travelling under blue lights to the Colchester-bound carriageway near Coggeshall following 999 reports of a man walking along the live lane. Prior to the collision, witnesses observed Mr Langstone stumbling and attempting to hitchhike.
Sequence of Events on the A120
Investigators established that Mr Langstone had left a friend’s partner’s house at approximately 06:00 GMT with the intention of booking a taxi back to Clacton-on-Sea, though he never ultimately boarded one. Wearing all-black clothing, he entered the unlit roadway shortly before 07:00 GMT.
“We know he wasn’t upright,” Coroner Michelle Brown stated during the inquest. She noted that the most likely scenario was that Mr Langstone had fallen into the road due to toxicological factors affecting his balance, making him extremely difficult for oncoming motorists to spot in the dark.
The inquest heard that Mr Langstone was sequentially struck by a Tesla, a Volkswagen Caddy, the marked Essex Police vehicle, and finally a Ford Transit van. The road remained closed throughout the day until late afternoon while collision investigators gathered evidence.
Police Investigation and Coroner’s Conclusion
In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, a burnt-out van discovered in a nearby layby off Watery Lane initially triggered fears of a hit-and-run incident. Police arrested a man in his 40s from Colchester on suspicion of failing to stop. However, he was later comprehensively ruled out of the inquiry and released with no further action taken.
Detective Inspector Mark Fraser praised members of the public who came forward with witness accounts and dashcam footage, which enabled collision investigators to map out the incident. Authorities confirmed that every vehicle involved has been accounted for and that no drivers are facing criminal investigation.
Concluding the hearing, Coroner Brown ruled that Mr Langstone died from multiple injuries sustained in a road traffic collision, noting there was no evidence of third-party criminal intent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened on the A120 on January 3?
Edward Langstone, 55, was struck and killed by four separate vehicles, including an Essex Police car responding to an emergency call, on an unlit section of the A120 near Coggeshall.
Which vehicles were involved in the collision?
The inquest established that Mr Langstone was struck by a Tesla, a Volkswagen Caddy, a marked Essex Police response car, and a Ford Transit van.
Why was the police car on the road?
The police vehicle was travelling under emergency conditions with its blue lights active after receiving 999 reports of a vulnerable man walking along the roadway.
Was anyone charged or arrested in connection with the crash?
An initial arrest of a man in his 40s was made after a burnt-out van was found nearby, but he was later completely cleared and released with no further action.
What was the official cause of death?
The area coroner ruled that Mr Langstone died from multiple injuries sustained in a road traffic collision, noting he was wearing dark clothing and likely stumbled or fell into the path of the vehicles.
