Family vows to investigate death of Notts man in Spain
THE family of a Notts man who died in Spain have vowed to carry on fighting to find out what happened to him.
Ian Anthony Carter, 38, from Meadow Lane, Burton Joyce, died in a motorbike accident in Torrevieja, near Alicante, in 2007.
However, a Notts coroner has said the Spanish police's investigation into Ian's death was "poor" and his family may never know what happened.
Speaking after the inquest, Ian's dad, Ivan Carter, 63, from Gedling, said: "They have not given us any facts whatsoever.
"It's just disgraceful. It's been trauma after trauma after trauma."
Ian's brother, John Carter, 41, from Carlton, said: "There was no proper investigation ever done."
Speaking at the inquest at Nottingham Coroner's Court, Notts coroner Dr Nigel Chapman said to Ian's parents: "To say the least it has been a very poor investigation in Spain.
"You've had huge problems. The time of death is estimated. There were no police officers attending. You've done more yourself than was done at the time.
"The motorbike disappeared very quickly even though there was a death involved."
Ian, who was divorced with two children, had been living in Spain for five years and was about to move back to England when he died on March 24, 2007.
He was the passenger on a Yamaha motorbike, the driver of which also died.
Ian died from loss of blood due to traumatic injuries.
Dr Chapman said the driver of the motorbike tested positive for alcohol but the Spanish police had not given any details of whether he was over the legal limit for driving.
He said: "What should have happened is there should have been a proper police investigation in the first place."
The coroner recorded a narrative verdict, that Ian died after a road accident in Spain.
"It has been a very, very difficult time," Dr Chapman said to Ian's parents.
"We've put it all together but it's really quite unsatisfactory for you.
"The only pictures you've been able to get of it are the ones in the local press.
"They are the only pictures anybody took. The police didn't take any.
"You haven't got full closure for it and I really don't think you'll get anymore.
"You've persevered very well. The investigation has been well below what we would expect of any police force.
"You've tried everything you could do and you've just simply hit a brick wall."
However, Ian's family has vowed to carry on their investigation into his death.
"We're going to keep going," said Ivan.
"It has been horrendous and it's still horrendous now.
"We're absolutely mentally and physically exhausted. But we're fighters and we will carry on."
John said: "We want to warn anybody who wants to go out to Spain – just be very careful out there."
Ian left behind his children Ellie and Alfie, now 11 and nine.
"He was a wonderful father to his kids," said Ivan.
"Ian was a very jolly person. He always had a grin, even when he was down."
samantha.hughes@nottingham eveningpost.co.uk
4 Comments
by Patrick, The real World
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 4:01PM
“JJ, my opinions are shared by just about all the ex-pats that live here, of course this should be fully investigated by the Spanish authorities and answers given...but it wont and none will be, I was merely trying to put people in the picture as to how things work here, there is little or no accountabilty of the people who should be investigating this incident, and it will be only after a long period of time, and no results, that you will realise what I state is true.... maybe you think it better to give them false hope?, I think they will have already experienced a bit of what I am talking about, and you jj are the fool, the Coroner states clearly they have not had full closure, and will not get any further... basically saying the same as me.”
by mickydooflop, mistysideofthetrent
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 1:07PM
“Very harsh J.J. on Patrick I feel!
I do feel he was putting It to them as he saw It, & I'm sure he feels for this family & his kids!
I would say myself what J.J has said however, never give-up! get a spanish solicitor, go out there & confront the Police Involved.
I would ask them to put themselves In my shoes, losing a child ,& not really knowing all the circumstances must be heartbreaking for the family & I wish them well whatever they decide to do!”
by JJ, Notts
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 11:25AM
“Patrick - how the hell do you know that 'no further action will take place however much you complain or protest'? Just because you live out there doesn't mean you know everything about its police and investigational processes.
And what a thing to write anyway. Why not give this family some hope and best wishes, instead of this doomladen nonsense?
The fact is, you have to try. Keep on at them! Take a lawyer fluent in spanish over there and keep pestering them until the answers come. There is always hope. It's amazing what can be done when you keep trying.
Don't be put off by fools like Patrick. And good luck!”
by patrick, The Real World
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 10:00AM
“This is a sad case, I live here in Spain and very close to a main road (the A7 on the Costa Del Sol), probably the most accidents per mile anywhere in europe?, if an accident involves non-spanish it is quickly cleared away and there really is no investigation at the scene...nothing!(and if Spanish victims a little effort maybe), the Guardia civil traffic are not in the slightest bit interested in what happended, infact the same can be said for any type of crime, unless very, very serious. this is a blight on Spain because otherwise it is a great place to live, sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but no further action will take place however much you complain or protest, officialdom here does not move slowly, it does not move at all....”