- West Sussex Council received two reports complaining about potholes on March 14
- A 74-year-old man died following an incident on the A272 Horsham Road on April 29
A council was warned about dangerous potholes along a stretch of road, months before a Porsche driver was killed in a horrific crash.
The four-car collision occurred when a Porsche driver, 74, struck an oncoming vehicle and crashed into the side of a house. near Petworth, West Sussex, on April 29.
Police are investigating whether the driver, from Reigate, Surrey, may have been trying to avoid a pothole on the A272 Horsham Road.
Reports sent to West Sussex Council on March 14 show that they were warned that motorists on the same stretch of the A272 would be turning onto the other side of the road to avoid hitting potholes.
A concerned member of the public informed the council of a 1.6 meter wide pothole in the road to the west, and another 1.3 meter wide crater in the other direction.
A 74-year-old man died in an incident on the A272 Horsham Road near Petworth in West Sussex on April 29.
Police officers are investigating the possibility that 'one of the cars swerved to avoid the pothole', which caused the tragedy
Reports sent to West Sussex Council on March 14 show the council had been warned of dangerous potholes on the same stretch of the A272 Horsham Road
The report said: 'Both cause vehicles to drift into the opposite carriageway. They have been there for more than thirty days and are continuing to deteriorate.'
That same day, someone else also wrote: 'In fourteen months I had to buy four new wheels, twelve tires and two new front wheel bearings, all due to the negligence of the public road. I want answers.
“The carriageway has been destroyed in both east and west directions and could cause a serious accident.”
The man was pronounced dead at the scene after his 911 997 GT2, a stripped-down version of the iconic sports car designed for racing circuits, struck several cars and a roadside house.
A 65-year-old man from Midhurst, Sussex, driving a white BMW, was taken to hospital after suffering 'serious injuries' in the collision. Two other vehicles were also involved, a black BMW and a white Audi.
Detectives from Sussex Police believe the left-hand drive sports car crashed into the BMW as it swerved to avoid the crater in the tarmac, hitting two other vehicles and the veranda of a roadside house before coming to a stop .
Paramedics, including an air ambulance, were called and treated the man at the scene. Despite their efforts, he died before he could be taken to hospital.
A concerned member of the public warned that the potholes had 'both caused vehicles to drift into the opposite carriageway'
Those living near the accident said the stretch of road is notorious for speeding. At this time there are no indications that excessive speed played a role in the incident
An air ambulance was called to the scene. A 65-year-old man was taken to hospital with serious injuries, but is now stable
The 65-year-old driver of the white BMW who was injured was taken to St Richard's Hospital in Chichester, where he is now in stables. The drivers of the two other vehicles were not injured.
Those living near the accident said the stretch of road is notorious for speeding. At this time there are no indications that excessive speed played a role in the incident.
A local said: 'Everyone is rushing down this hill. After weaving through all the lanes, it's frustration.
“When they see the long straight, they think: 'This is my chance to overtake'.”
The report was made by FixMyStreet, an app that allows road users to report potholes to the RAC. This showed that a third of drivers had to swerve quickly to avoid a pothole and ended up crossing completely to another lane or the other side of the road. away.
A spokesperson for West Sussex County Council said at the time of the collision: 'We are aware of a four-vehicle collision on the A272 Horsham Road in Petworth on Monday (April 29) which sadly left one man dead and another driver was injured.
'First and foremost, our thoughts go out to the families and friends of those involved. The police are conducting a collision investigation and we are awaiting the findings. It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.”
West Sussex County Council and Sussex Police have been contacted for further comment.