Ciaran died ‘instantly and painlessly’
TRAGIC schoolboy Ciaran Williamson’s death was “instantaneous and painless” as he was crushed by a gravestone in a Glasgow cemetery.
A fatal accident inquiry heard from a pathologist’s report that the eight-year-old died from two main head fractures, liver and heart damage at Craigton Cemetery two years ago.
Ciaran had been facing the heavy, 7ft tall gravestone and was positioned “a distance away” from the tomb when it fell, according to the expert.
THE death of a schoolboy who was crushed by a gravestone in a cemetery tragedy was “instantaneous and painless”, according to a pathologist’s report.
Ciaran Williamson sustained two main head fractures, as well as liver and heart damage when the 7ft stone fell on him at Craigton Cemetery on May 26, 2015.
Relatives broke down in tears as the extent of the eightyearold’s many injuries were read out in court during a fatal accident inquiry into his death.
Dorothy Bain QC, representing Ciaran’s mum Stephanie Griffin, read a joint minute during the inquiry which had been agreed between all parties based on a report by Dr Gemma Kemp, pathologist.
It stated that Ciaran had been facing the gravestone and was positioned “a distance away” from it when it fell.
Ms Bain told the court: “At the point Ciaran was struck by the pediment his death would have been instantaneous and painless for him.”
The QC explained: “The pediment fell striking Ciaran on the top of his head causing him to fall backwards as a result of which he sustained a severe head injury...
“The pediment fell further and progressed down his face causing him to sustain several abrasions.”
The inquiry heard Ciaran’s heart and liver had been damaged as a result of “blunt force trauma” and the stone had landed in his chest, shoulder and upper abdomen.
His brain stem was separated in two parts, and he had bruising on his torso and right arm.
Ciaran’s dad Ryan Williamson left the court room in tears as the details were read out, followed shortly by mum Stephanie and the rest of Ciaran’s family.
Peter Hayman, an expert stonemason and member of the National Association of Memorial Masons (NAMM), was also giving evidence.
He said if he had inspected the stone before the accident he would have “immediately fenced it off”.
The inquiry heard that “due to the ever increasing angle of lean, the Ross Memorial, if left as it was without some remedial action, would have failed” and that “very little force” would have been needed to topple it.
When asked what kind of force may have caused the stone’s failure, Mr Hayman replied: “Even a strong gust of wind, ground heave, frost and thaw action.”
Mark Stewart QC, representing the council, asked the witness to clarify if he thought the stone was “so perilously balancing a gust of wind would have knocked it over” to which he said no.
He explained that if the stone was to lean over more it could have been toppled by wind.
Dorothy Bain QC asked Mr Hayman: “If you had been asked to inspect the Ross Memorial before failure would you have passed it safe?”
He replied: “No, I would have immediately fenced it off.”
Mr Hayman also raised concerns with Glasgow City Council about the state of Craigton Cemetery following the tragedy.
In a report he said there were “serious hazards” despite work by the local authority to lay down every headstone for safety.
Mr Hayman told the council it was “apparent that there is very serious hazard potential with memorials” and said he was “very concerned with the state of memorials and would suggest a suitable inspection and maintenance programme.”
When asked why he was concerned about the cemetery, he said some stones were still a trip hazard despite being laid flat and added: “It is totally unacceptable to push memorials over en masse.”
He said that the action could “cause distress to families” and damage stones with heritage value.