Road death man had been in police custody suite

A PEDESTRIAN killed when he stepped out into traffic had just visited a friend in police custody.

Scott Sangster died instantly when he was struck by a car on the B2030 Littlehampton Road, Durrington, at 11.15pm on June 4, shortly after checking on Lee Wimbledon, locked in the cells in the custody suite at Centenary House.

Neighbour Mark Christopher, 31, believes that Mr Sangster, of Cumbrian Close, Durrington, tried to cross the road immediately after leaving the police premises. Witnesses say Mr Sangster was hit by blue Mazda sports car, driven east by a 49-year-old man from Worthing. His body was then dragged along for some metres by a Vauxhall Astra, also heading east, driven by a woman, 60, from Lancing.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In May, 2003, prisoner David Henderson was almost killed at the same spot after being released from custody.

Former councillor Nick Rodgers swerved to avoid Mr Henderson, in the similar incident . He wrote to police after the lucky escape, telling them that the custody exit that was too near the busy 50mph dual carriageway.

The accident that cost Mr Sangster his life was avoidable, insists the former leader of the LibDem group on the county council.

He said: "I question the logic of having it next to a dual carriageway. The police are dealing with people under the influence of drink and drugs and having them wandering around near cars is not a good idea."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A letter acknowledging the complaint was sent to Mr Rodgers. In it, officers denied that the exit was considered a hazard.

Jill Pedersen, Sussex Police spokeswoman, said: "This is a tragic incident and are thoughts are with Mr Sangster's family. No one is released from custody without being risk assessed to ensure their safety.

"It was a condition of the planning application that staggered pedestrian barriers were put up near the road so that no one could walk from the custody centre and make their way directly into the road. Anyone making their way to and from the custody centre could also walk in the adjacent car park."

Related topics: