Police have released the name of a man who was killed after the car he was driving left the road and entered the water at North Bank, Whittlesey.
Keith Pettitt, 50, of Deene Thorpe, Corby, was pronounced dead at the scene yesterday, Monday, after the Skoda Octavia he had been in was recovered from River Nene which runs alongside the road.
Police and emergency services were called shortly after 2.30pm to reports that a vehicle had been spotted partially submerged in the water.
Young motorist, Hannah Yates, 18, died in similar circumstances a month ago.
Eight people escaped – only one of them with injuries- after three vehicles came off the road and entered the river within the space of 36 hours last week.
The road remains closed.
Simon Machen, Peterborough City Council’s director for growth and regeneration, said: “The road was closed by the police yesterday after a man’s body was discovered in a car in the River Nene. I took the decision to keep it closed so our highways inspectors could carry out a full inspection of the road this morning. It will remain closed for the rest of the day while this inspection is carried out.
“Our initial inspections of the road last week and today have found no defects with the road or its surface.
“However, we are aware of a number of incidents in the past week and have therefore decided as a precautionary measure, to introduce a temporary 40mph speed limit until we can fully investigate any road safety issues. This will be in place when the road re-opens at some point tomorrow.
“We are working closely with Cambridgeshire police to ensure enforcement measures are put in place. If new measures are required following consideration of the police investigation reports and our ongoing inspection, an appropriate scheme will be designed and implemented.
“We will also be meeting with Fenland Road Safety Campaign, local councillors and officers from Cambridgeshire County Council next week to discuss this important issue.
“As with all roads we would urge people to drive carefully and safely but especially at this time of the year with dark nights and frost and ice.”
Anyone with any information about the accident should call the Roads Policing Unit on 101.
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