A Tasmanian woman who tragically lost her life in a crash while driving to settle into a new home passed away with her husband and son by her side, holding her hand, a coroner has shared.
Phillippa ‘Pip’ Briggs, 51, was relocating from Swansea to Campbell Town on May 6, 2022, when she failed to negotiate a curve on Lake Leake Highway, just 11km from her destination.
In his recent published findings, Coroner Robert Webster said Briggs passed away due to multiple injuries sustained in the crash that caused her vehicle to veer off the road, roll and come to rest on the opposite side against a power pole.
He said Briggs had left the family home on the east coast after helping load multiple vehicles with household items to be moved to the new Midlands property.
“Mr Briggs says his wife left Swansea at about 1:20pm while he and their son were still packing the other vehicles. When she left she was alone but was transporting their 2 dogs,” Webster said.
“On the trip to Campbell Town the vehicle left the roadway and Mrs Briggs sustained serious injuries. Other motorists came upon the scene and emergency services were contacted.”
Trapped inside the vehicle, Briggs was comforted by her husband and son, who were already at the scene when the first emergency services arrived, however, despite their efforts, she could not be saved.
Coroner Webster noted that Briggs was “very familiar with the roadway”, having driven the Lake Leake Highway for approximately 20 years, and had an excellent driving record.
She was also observed to be wearing her seatbelt at the time of the crash and held a valid driver’s licence.
Coroner Webster said there were no defects in the road surface that may have caused or contributed to the crash and there was no evidence of any other vehicle, person or object being involved.
He ruled out alcohol and drugs as contributing factors to the crash and said speed alone was not the cause.
“It appears from this investigation that while negotiating a wet downhill curve in the roadway Mrs Briggs has overrun the curve ending up in the gravel on the southern side of the roadway before applying harsh right-hand steering which has resulted in the vehicle entering into a clock wise yaw before it rolled over and came to rest on the driver’s side off the roadway on its northern side,” Webster said.
“I convey my sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Mrs Briggs.”
In the time following the accident, her employer, May Shaw Health and Aged Care, launched their “labour of love” Beach Wheelchair Project in memory of their “beloved colleague” Pip.
“Pip’s dream was to have availability for these beach wheelchairs for those unable to access the water easily,” May Shaw said in February.
Her granddaughter, Gracie, was among the first to trial one of the new all-access wheelchairs.
