Open golf crash court case rescheduled due to language barriers

Translation problems have led to another delay for a Forfar court case.

Alberto Garcia is alleged to have hit another vehicle while driving on the wrong side of the road near Carnoustie on the first day of the Open golf event at the Angus town’s links.

One man was seriously injured in the accident and another three people, including Garcia, were hurt.

The case called before Gregor Murray yesterday at Forfar Sheriff Court, having previously been continued without plea last month.

The court heard discussions have been taking place between the Crown and Garcia’s legal representatives with a view to resolving the matter.

A defence agent for Garcia said there was an agreed plea but the language barrier over email was making things difficult.

They were given more time to prepare and another hearing was scheduled for later this month.

Garcia, of Araba Alava in northern Spain, was not in court.

His attendance will also be excused at the next date.

He faces a complaint alleging that he drove dangerously, heading south on the northbound lane, and into the path of an oncoming vehicle on July 19 on the B962 Monifieth to Newbigging Road, near the A92.

The charge goes on to say that the vehicles collided and a male was seriously injured.

Both vehicles were also damaged.

The accident, which involved a car and a minibus, happened on the day the Open teed off.

The golfing showpiece proved to be a record-breaker in terms of crowd numbers, although motorists making their way to the event experienced delays while the scene was cleared.

Police and paramedics attended the accident which came on a busy day for emergency services in the area.

Firefighters were also called to deal with a grass fire a few hours later.