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Coroner slams Fonterra for removing fire extinguishers

Woman dies in burning car because extinguisher did not work.

A coroner has deplored a move by Fonterra to remove all fire extinguishers from its vehicles and ruled the company reinstate the devices, during an inquest into an Ashburton woman's death.

Margaret Anne Taylor, a nurse, of Mayfield, died on impact early on November 22, 2007 when the car she was in hit a Fonterra milk tanker's trailer at an intersection in a 100kmh area just outside Ashburton.An inquest into her death was held at the Ashburton District Court yesterday by Regional Coroner Richard McElrea.

The tanker driver, Kevin Gardner, was found to have slowed down for a give way sign but did not see Mrs Taylor's car. She was killed on impact.

After the crash her car began to burn but a fire extinguisher held in the milk truck failed to work. Mr Gardner could not extract her because the driver's door would not open and her feet were trapped.

Mr Gardner said it was "absolutely devastating" when the extinguisher did not work.

As a result, Mr Gardner had to watch the fire grow and incinerate the car, with Mrs Taylor's body inside. He has already been charged and convicted of careless driving causing death.

About four months ago Fonterra ruled that all fire extinguishers be removed from its vehicles pending a review of whether they would be fitted and, if so, where. The court was told the faulty extinguisher played a part in the decision to remove the extinguishers.

Mr McElrea yesterday ruled the death accidental and also ruled that Fonterra "immediately reinstate fire extinguishers to all their vehicles".

He said Mrs Taylor died instantly, with the high-energy impact causing fatal injuries to her brain, chest contents and limbs.

The court heard from a number of witnesses, including Senior Constable Robert Dempsey, of Waimate.

Mr Dempsey, who is involved with the Commercial Vehicle Investigation Unit, said it was "crazy" for Fonterra to remove fire extinguishers from its vehicle.

"It's unfortunate I can't stress that strongly enough that it didn't work. [However] there are times where those extinguishers are going to save lives."

While it was not a legal requirement for heavy trucks to carry extinguishers, it was also not a legal requirement for drivers to carry out first aid training, though the company still required them to do that training, the court was told.

Mr Dempsey told the court three things prevented the extinguisher from working: a spindle or "firing pin" had jammed; there was no pressure; and the plastic siphon inside the bottle had been detached, meaning no powder could be released even if there was pressure.

Late yesterday, The Timaru Herald contacted Fonterra's fleet services and asset manager Ian McDonald said the company was "interested to see what we can learn" from the tragedy.

He said fire extinguishers had been removed from the nationwide fleet of about 430 trucks about four months ago.
[Stuff.co.nz Timaru Herald 31/07/2009]

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