The death of a man who was killed on a flooded road could have been caused by flytippers leaving scrap in drains, a report has revealed.
Sean Salvin, 20, was driving in heavy rain when he lost control of his red Volkswagon Golf and ploughed into a tree.
A report, submitted by Sheffield Council, South Yorks., to a pre-inquest review, said that a car exhaust and bricks had clogged pipes in the sewer system underneath the road which had caused it to flood.
The council report also said debris had been found to be obstructing the pipeline and that manhole covers were now locked to prevent further flytipping.
But Sean’s family, who believe he aquaplaned after hitting flood water, think a lack of maintenance of the sewer system is the real cause of their loved one’s death.
Sean’s father, Craig Salvin, called the council’s attempts to blame flytipping “ridiculous”.
He said: “It would take two people to prise the lid off a manhole cover and then they’d have to put it back on again.
“It is bad maintenance of the drains that is the problem.
“If they had checked them this wouldn’t have happened. They’ve only cleaned up some of the drains, it is a more widespread thing.”
New safety measures have been put in place on Ecclesfield Road in Sheffield where Sean died including reducing the speed limit and highway drainage improvements.
However, Sean’s devastated family has said that’s not enough and are calling for average 30mph speed cameras to be installed.
Craig said: “There needs to be average speed cameras – it is cost effective as they would make the money back in fines.
“It would save a hell of a lot of lives.”
