Family to fund legal team in death inquiry

The family of a man killed when he was reportedly struck by the boom of a crane during the construction of the new Queensferry Crossing have dug into their own pockets to fund a legal team to take part in a marathon fatal accident inquiry into his death.

John Cousin, 62, was directing the crane on the north tower deck of the new bridge when the incident occurred on April 28 2016 – International Workers’ Memorial Day.

Tragically, when the incident occurred, Mr Cousin, a banksman, had just taken part in a minute’s silence to honour people around the world who have died at work.

Mr Cousin, from Northumberland, suffered severe blood loss and was pronounced dead shortly after emergency services were alerted.

It was already known that crane company the GGR Group, and the consortium that built the £1.35 billion bridge, Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors, would both be represented by QCs at the inquiry, which will start at Stirling Sheriff Court next week.

But solicitor Stuart Cochran told a preliminary hearing yesterday that the family had taken a decision “late in the day” to become involved as well.

Mr Cochran told Sheriff Wyllie Robertson he realised the court had been given short notice of the family’s decision to be represented and question witnesses.

He said: “The family have taken a decision to pay for this themselves.

“Obviously it’s a very emotive issue for the family.”

Nine days have been set aside for the probe, which will begin next Monday.

The GGR Group will be represented by health and safety legal expert Peter Gray QC, who represented the local authority in the Glasgow bin lorry FAI, while Murdo Macleod QC, who represented the aircraft manufacturer in the North Sea Super Puma inquiry, will appear for the consortium.

The inquiry is being held in Stirling as under FAI legislation, inquiries can be held anywhere within a sheriffdom where a death occurred.

John Cousin was killed working on the Queensferry Crossing.