Inquiry into fatal low-loader accident gets underway
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A F'AIAL ACCIDENT inquiry into an incident involving the former haulage firm Munro & Sons (Highland), Ross-shire, has begun at TaM Sheriff Court, Scotland.
The inquiry is the latest stage in a series of legal moves after an accident in 2006, where a 30-tonne excavator rolled off the back of a low-loader trailer and crushed a car being driven by Julia Mackay.
Mackay was injured and her friend, Christina Fraser. was killed.
During the court proceedings following the accident, it was revealed that the truck was overloaded and the chains used to secure the excavator were not strong enough.
The lirm was subsequently involved in another serious accident, where a drawbar trailer became detached from its prime mover and careered down the A9 trunk road near Inverness.
Munro & Sons has already lost its 0-licence following a decision from Scottish Traffic Commissioner Joan Aitken (pictured right) (*Haulier to appeal TC's decision', CM 28 May). and, before that, was fined .E30,000 for health and safety offences.
Former director Pamela Munro was disqualified for two years, while directors David and William Munro were disqualified for seven years. Driver Kenneth Finlayson was disqualified for 12 months.
Aitken also warned operators to he wary of "providing a front for continued operation" by Munro. The present inquiry is not a further prosecution, but, under Scottish law, fatal accident inquiries are held to establish as much detail about incidents as possible.
Last week's inquiry heard from several witnesses, but was then adjourned because advocates were not available after that. It will re-convene on 1 and 2 October and again on 19 and 20 October. After that. the Sheriff will produce a report. establishing, as far as possible, what happened and why.
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