Death of Peel man deemed accidental by inquest

Kian Broadhead died following a road traffic collision at the Devil's Elbow

**A warning that this story contains information which some readers may find distressing.**

A verdict of accidental death has been recorded at the inquest of a Peel man who died in a road traffic collision.

Kian Broadhead was killed as a result of 'catastrophic head injuries' in the early hours of Sunday 14 September 2025.

The 25-year-old's work van left the A4 coast road between Peel and Kirk Michael at the Devil’s Elbow and was later found in the ravine below.

Evidence read aloud to the court this morning (18 March) revealed he was three times the legal limit for alcohol following a night out in Peel.

On the Saturday afternoon, Mr Broadhead had competed in a football match as a member of Peel's combination team against league leaders Corinthians.

Acting as team captain, he had scored a goal in the notable 5-3 victory at Ballafletcher - his 10th goal in 118 senior appearances made since his senior debut in 2019.

Following the win, the football team went out to celebrate, visiting several pubs in the town.

Mr Broadhead was described as 'chatty' and 'in good spirits'.

He was later joined by his girlfriend and her friend and also saw his mum at one point in the evening.

In the early hours of the morning, following a disagreement with a friend, he left the town, with the court told he sent a voice message via Snapchat to his girlfriend letting her know he was going home.

As the day went on and no-one had heard from him, he was reported as missing to police.

It was also noted his van wasn't where it was previously seen parked.

The vehicle was later discovered in the ravine below the Devil's Elbow by his girlfriend's brother after he noted damage to the road at the corner when driving into Peel.

When his mum later received his iPhone and turned it on, it was revealed the phone's Crash Detection feature was triggered at seven minutes past midnight on the Sunday morning.

The safety feature automatically detects severe car crashes, and if a crash is detected, the device sounds an alarm, displays an alert, and calls emergency services if you do not respond within 30 seconds.

However, due to a lack of signal in the area, his emergency contacts were not alerted.

Recording a verdict of accidental death at Douglas Courthouse, Coroner of Inquests James Brooks said he was satisfied 'the alcohol Kian had consumed' meant he missed or misjudged the bend, either by not steering into the corner at all, or not steering enough.