A devoted Birmingham father-of-two was tragically killed after being struck by a police car responding to an emergency call at speeds of up to 60mph, a coroner's court has heard.
'He nearly made it': The final moments of Roger Bagnall
Roger Bagnall, aged 40, died from 'un-survivable' injuries at the scene on Yardley Road in Acocks Green on the evening of March 19 last year. He had been walking home from a Wetherspoons pub after a social drink with friends.
In a poignant tribute at the opening of the inquest, his partner, Sheralee Huband, described him as a 'devoted dad' who filled their family home with love and laughter.
His friend, Matthew Keogh, who was with him moments before the collision, told the hearing Mr Bagnall was in good spirits. "He was just usual jovial Rog', happy as Larry," Mr Keogh stated. After saying their goodbyes, Mr Bagnall announced he had to dash home.
"I saw Roger make an attempt to step into the road," Mr Keogh recounted. "I felt like he took a split second, was going to go, then a split second hesitation and he decided to go." He added that Mr Bagnall then "ran full pelt across the road. He nearly made it. He was one step away."
The police response to a 'machete disorder' call
The inquest was told that the marked Peugeot 308 police vehicle was being driven by PC Jack Brannigan, who had been with West Midlands Police for three years and was blue-light qualified for about four months.
PC Brannigan and his colleague, PC Mills, were responding to multiple 999 calls reporting a 'machete disorder' involving four or five men at a Morrisons supermarket. They were operating on blue lights and sirens.
The officer told the coroner they had initially waited nearby while a decision was made on whether firearms officers were required. "Our concern was that while we were waiting, someone could be getting stabbed or bleeding on the side of the road," PC Brannigan said.
When authorised to attend as a Taser-equipped unit, he reactivated the emergency equipment and proceeded towards Acocks Green. He estimated his speed at the time of the collision to be between 55 and 60mph.
Describing the moments before impact, PC Brannigan said he saw a group of people on the pavement. "One of the group turned around and, I would say, acknowledged there was a police car there. At that point I have not seen that as a hazard. And then, a man of that group has run out into the road."
He stated he slammed on the brakes but a collision was unavoidable. "When he stepped into the road, I slammed on the brakes... he contacts with the very edge of the passenger side of the car."
Inquest examines police policy and cause of death
The week-long hearing at Birmingham Coroner's Court, overseen by Area Coroner Emma Brown, is set to examine several key issues:
- Whether the police vehicle was being driven in accordance with force policy and training.
- The precise cause of Mr Bagnall's death.
- The emergency service response following the collision.
A forensic collision investigation indicated that any evasive decision by the driver would have had to be made in "less than a second" from when Mr Bagnall stepped into the road.
PC Brannigan reflected, "If it was any other day I would have driven exactly the same, with the same concern for the same job. I wouldn't have changed anything." He added that the only other option in hindsight would have been to steer into a police station wall.
The court heard that an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has concluded. PC Brannigan has not faced disciplinary action, and it was not identified that he required retraining following the incident.
Despite immediate CPR performed by one of the officers at the scene, Mr Bagnall's injuries were fatal. The inquest continues.
