A Birmingham father of two, Roger Bagnall, tragically lost his life after colliding with a police vehicle while crossing the road at speed, an inquest has heard. The 40-year-old, described as “full of life,” was struck by a Peugeot 308 police car in Acocks Green as he was making his way home from a local pub.
PC Jack Brannigan, who was driving the police car at an estimated speed of 55-60mph with sirens and blue lights activated, was responding to urgent 999 calls reporting a ‘machete disorder.’ The collision occurred around 7 pm on March 19 of last year.
The inquest is examining whether the police vehicle was operating within policy alongside the circumstances of Mr. Bagnall’s tragic death and the emergency response.
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Mr. Bagnall’s partner, Sheralee Huband, paid a heartfelt tribute, describing him as a devoted father who “filled their home with love and laughter.” On the evening of the accident, Roger had been out drinking with friends just minutes from his home.
Witness Matthew Keogh recounted the final moments before the collision, saying Roger was cheerful and eager to get home to his family. “He was just usual jovial Rog, happy as Larry,” Mr. Keogh said. He described how Roger ran across the road with urgency, nearly making it to the other side before the fatal impact. Mr. Keogh could not hear the police sirens but noted Roger glanced up briefly before deciding to run.
The collision caused fatal injuries that were described as unsurvivable despite immediate CPR attempts by the attending officers.
PC Brannigan, a three-year force member and four months into his blue light qualification at the time, explained they were responding to reports of armed men near a Morrisons store. After waiting for clearance from firearms officers, they proceeded at speed when it was deemed safe to attend as a taser unit.
While driving through Acocks Green, the officer noticed a group of people roadside, one of whom acknowledged the police car. Moments later, Mr. Bagnall unexpectedly stepped into the road and collided with the vehicle despite the officer’s emergency braking.
The inquest heard PC Brannigan reflected deeply on the incident, affirming that he would have taken the same actions on any other day given the urgency of the call. He noted that any alternative—such as colliding with the police station wall—would have been equally perilous and that the decision window was less than a second.
An Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation found no fault or need for disciplinary action against the officer.
The inquest into Roger Bagnall’s death continues as the community mourns the loss of a much-loved father and friend.