Coroner's Finding: Tabor, Pamela Lois and Belinda Ann

MAGISTRATES COURT of TASMANIA

CORONIAL DIVISION Record of Investigation into Death (Without Inquest) Coroners Act 1995 Coroners Rules 2006 Rule 11 I, Duncan Fairley, Coroner, having investigated the death of Pamela Lois Tabor and Belinda Ann Tabor Find That:

1. Pamela Lois Tabor died on 21 April 2016 at Port Sorell Road, Wesley Vale in Tasmania.

At the time of her death Mrs Tabor was married and was employed as a nurse. She was born in Australia on 13 September 1955 and was aged 60 years.

Mrs Tabor died as a result of massive traumatic injuries to the head and chest she received as a front seat passenger in a motor vehicle which was involved in a collision.

2. Belinda Ann Tabor died on 21 April 2016 at Port Sorell Road, Wesley Vale in Tasmania.

At the time of her death Ms Tabor was single and was employed as a teacher. She was born at Hobart, Tasmania on 7 July 1979 and was aged 36 years.

Ms Tabor died as a result of multiple injuries she received as the driver of a motor vehicle which was involved in a collision.

Circumstances Surrounding the Death: At approximately 3:15pm on Thursday 21 April 2016 Belinda Ann Tabor was the driver of a Mazda 2 hatchback which was proceeding in an easterly direction on Port Sorell Road at Wesley Vale. Also in the vehicle was Belinda Tabor’s mother, Pamela Lois Tabor, who was

the front seat passenger. The vehicle was travelling towards Mrs Tabor’s residence at Hawley Beach which she shared with her husband John. Belinda Tabor was visiting with her parents during the school holiday break. The relevant stretch of road is governed by a 100 km/h speed limit. The carriageway was slippery due to earlier rain.

At the same date and time a fully laden Freightliner prime mover, driven by Jamie Rowell, was travelling at approximately 80 km/h in a westerly direction on Port Sorell Road.

Approximately 1 kilometre east of the Port Sorell Road, Pardoe Road and Brooke Street roundabout Ms Tabor’s vehicle was required to negotiate a slight right hand curve. For reasons which remain unknown but are likely the result of inattention, the rear passenger tyre of the Mazda 2 left the sealed road surface and entered the adjacent gravel. Ms Tabor appears to have over-corrected in her attempt to regain control of the vehicle, causing it to yaw and subsequently slide across into the oncoming lane. The Mazda then collided with the front right of the Freightliner prime mover. The damage to Ms Tabor’s vehicle was catastrophic.

In his comprehensive report the Tasmania Police crash investigator, First Class Constable Lloyd, concluded that Mr Rowell was operating his vehicle in a safe and proper manner. I accept Constable Lloyd’s opinion. Mr Rowell could not have avoided the collision given the time which elapsed between Ms Tabor losing control of her vehicle and the impact with the prime mover being less than 2 seconds. I further observe that evidence was obtained during the investigation which indicates Ms Tabor was not driving at an excessive speed for the road conditions, had not consumed alcohol or any illicit substances and was not using her mobile device immediately prior to the incident. I am satisfied that inattention was the sole causative factor in the crash.

Post mortem examinations were performed by Dr Christopher Lawrence (State Forensic Pathologist) at the Royal Hobart Hospital on 22 April 2016. Dr Lawrence determined that the cause of Pamela Tabor’s death was massive traumatic injuries to the head and chest incurred during the motor vehicle collision. The Pathologist determined that the cause of Belinda Tabor’s death were the multiple injuries she sustained upon impact. Dr Lawrence concluded that both Ms Tabor and Mrs Tabor died instantaneously. I accept those opinions.

Comments and Recommendations: I extend my appreciation to First Class Constable Lloyd for his high quality investigation and report. Having reviewed all of the evidence gained during the comprehensive investigation into the crash I am satisfied that the circumstances do not necessitate the making of any recommendations or comments pursuant to section 28(2) of the Coroners Act 1995.

In conclusion, I convey my sincere condolences to the family of Pamela and Belinda Tabor.

Dated: 11 September 2017 at Launceston Coroners Court in the State of Tasmania.

Duncan Fairley Coroner