Coroner calls for council action after fatal crash

A coroner has called for better street lighting and signage following a collision that killed two men in Bradford.

Arsalan Khalid Baig and Mohammed Azad Khan, both 24, died after Mr Khan crashed an Audi SQ5 into a wall on a sharp 90-degree bend in Dryden Street, in July 2022.

An inquest previously heard Mr Khan had been driving at about twice the road's 30mph limit and had cannabis in his system.

In a report published this week, assistant coroner Angela Brocklehurst told Bradford Council action should be taken to prevent future deaths on this road.

Bradford Coroner's Court heard another passenger accompanying Mr Khan and Mr Baig suffered a broken leg in the crash, which took place at about 23:30 BST on 30 July 2022.

Ms Brocklehurst told the council that the street had been "badly lit" at the time, with the left turn and wall at the end of Dryden Street being "obscured" by the darkness as a result.

"No warning road signs were placed to warn drivers of the dead end of the street or the left turn in advance," she said.

"The absence of which together with insufficient street lighting may in all probability have contributed to the fatal accident ensuing."

Bradford Council, which has until 29 April to respond to the coroner's report, has been approached for comment.

Another fatal collision had since occurred on the same bend when a pick-up truck crashed into the wall in October 2023, killing the 33-year-old driver.

Following the conclusion of the inquest, Mr Baig's family paid tribute to the married 24-year-old, saying he had been "a very much loved and important part of our now broken family".

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.