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Driver blown off Foyle Bridge
Page 16
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Storms claim another driver as his truck plunges off the side of the Foyle Bridge —his family are asking how it can be made safer. Anton McCabe reports.
TRUCK DRIVER Peter McGuinness was killed in the storms of Tuesday 11 January when a freak gust of wind blew his empty curtainsider off the Foyle Bridge in Londonderry.The vehicle smashed through two sets of barriers and plunged 150ft onto mudflats.
Northern Ireland's Department of Regional Development (DRD) and the police have launched inquiries: they will want to know why the bridge was kept open in the extremely strong winds.
McGuinness, 37, from Aghagallon,CoArmagh,drove for Paul Hannon, a subcontractor for Mulgrew Transport of Dromore, Co Down. Mulgrew Transport director Dermot Mulgrew says McGuinness had driven all over Europe but moved back home last year to spend more time with his elderly mother: "He loved driving, he never had a bump or a scrape in his life. If he had any doubts, he wouldn't have crossed the bridge.
"His family aren't looking to point the finger, but if some kind of good can come out of it to ensure that it doesn't happen again, they will be happy."
However Graham Corry, transport manager with Corry Transport, says the bridge should have been shut. On the same day one of his trucks was blown over near the bridge; the driver suffered a broken arm.
He adds:"There should be a 12ft frame on either side. The bridge is like the Clyde Bridge in Glasgow it's about the same length -and it has one of them. The only difference is that people want to see over it, but safety comes before scenery."
SDLP leader Mark Durkan wants to know why the bridge was not closed before the accident, given the warnings of high winds: "Obviously lessons will have to be learnt about the strength of the barriers on the bridge."
The DRD has commissioned Hyder Consultants to investigate the accident.
A spokesman says: "In relation to questions raised about the containment fencing, I can advise that the vehicle restraint system on the Foyle Bridge was assessed by consultants prior to the current strengthening works. It was found that it complies with current design standards."