Coroner finds Milnrow boy, 8, died in M60 crash due to the 'condition of the car' he was travelling in and 'the surface water' on the motorway

Blake Consterdine-Clarke died in February 2020

A boy from Milnrow died after the car he was a passenger in aquaplaned on the motorway due to a build-up of surface water, an inquest heard.

Blake Consterdine-Clarke, eight, died in February 2020 while his father, Leon Clarke, was driving on the M60 to Stockport.
 

Read more: Eight-year-old boy who died in M60 crash named locallyPublished: 03 March 2020

Whilst Clarke changed lanes, his BMW went into an irreversible spin, with the rear of the car colliding with a stationary van on the hard shoulder.

The collision caused extensive damage to the back of the car where Blake was sat, and despite the best efforts of members of the public and emergency services, Blake sadly died from his injuries.

Leon was jailed in 2022 after pleading guilty to causing Blake's death by careless driving, whilst over the limit for drugs and also uninsured.
 

Read more: Father jailed for four years after causing death of his son by dangerous drivingPublished: 12 October 2022

An inquest at Manchester South Coroner’s Court last week heard there was “significant surface water” on the M60 that day due to poor drainage caused by debris, impacting the drainage system.

There was no documented evidence of regular maintenance, which the inquest said would have reduced the risk of surface water accumulating as it did that day.

The inquest was told that the rear tyre treads of the BMW were under the legal limit - significantly under on the rear offside tyre, whilst the rear nearside tyre was also underinflated.

Coroner Alison Mutch ruled that Blake died as a result of multiple injuries caused by a road traffic collision, noting the driver lost control of the BMW due to a combination of factors including the condition of the car, the surface water and changing lanes.