The GV9 that followed a 'very tragic accident'
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AFTER HEARING what A. G. Bassett and Son Ltd. had spent on vehicle maintenance in the first quarter of this year, Metropolitan LA Mr D. I. R. Muir decided on Wednesday to take no action against the firm under Section 178.
For Bassett, Mr Roger Storey said the inquiry resulted from an immediate GV9 after prosecution in January and two delayed GV9s in July.
Bassett's vehicles were serviced every 1,200 to 1,400 miles and it proposed to take over a yard with a pit to do its own maintenance.
Mr Philip Shenk, Bassett's general manager, said the firm had eight tippers and three flats. The first GV9 was imposed after the vehicle's brakes failed and it ran down a hill causing a fatal accident. The damage that resulted was responsible for most of the faults complained of in the GV9.
The accident vehicle was one of several 1960 models Bassett bought about two years ago.
Only two remained, one of which was kept off the road and for "emergency" use only.
Mr Shenk said every Bassett vehicle was inspected weekly. Defective vehicles went to Ever Ready Motor Services for attention. January's maintenance bill was £140, February's £183, and the March figure was 1569.
Mr Muir said: "the very tragic accident in January led to the inquiry. There may be some doubt about the condition of that vehicle and I have not enough evidence before me to say that the accident was due to the defective condition of the vehicle".