Kent records highest number of accidental deaths

Kent recorded the highest number of accidental deaths of any local authority in England and Wales in 2023, according to new figures by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

The Annual Review of Accidents revealed more than 500 people died in accidents in the county.

The charity said that across the country the number of accidental deaths had risen by 8% in a year, to 23,000 people.

The charity warned high numbers of deaths in large counties including Kent "underlined the scale of the issue and the need for coordinated prevention".

Becky Hickman, chief executive of RoSPA, said: "Our report shows we are still not doing enough to reduce avoidable harm, life-changing injuries and personal tragedies."

She is calling on the government to implement a National Accident Prevention Strategy otherwise the "public health crisis would continue to worsen".

"By learning from patterns of injury and acting on the evidence we can help ensure that everyone is better protected from the consequences of accidental death and injury," Hickman added.

The Department of Health and Social has been approached for comment.

The charity said across the country the rise in accidental deaths had been driven by sharp increases in the number of falls (12%), accidental poisonings (10%), and injuries caused by objects such as being struck or crushed by machinery (13%).

It added factors including deprivation, age and unsafe environments were closely linked to greater risks of accidents.

RoSPA says the most common causes of accidental death are falls, poisonings (including alcohol and narcotics), road traffic collisions, choking and exposure to smoke, fire and flames.

Chris Boardman, Olympic Gold Medal-winning cyclist, who endorses the charity's report, says serious injuries and deaths on roads are "often treated as an unfortunate but inevitable part of everyday life".

"They are not. In most cases, they are predictable and preventable," he said.

"If we want more people to choose to walk, wheel or cycle, our streets must look and feel safe."

Boardman, who is serving as Commissioner at Active Travel England, says the agency has been working with local authorities to improve road safety and road networks.

Kent County Council has been approached for comment.

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