Lorry driver instantly realised mechanic under truck was dead

No warning signs of work were on HGV, he adds

A lorry driver who ran over a mechanic working underneath his vehicle told a court he knew instantly he was dead.

Mark Elder, 40, drove over Ian Bratchie, 50, who was crushed to death by the rear wheels of his HGV, which had a flatbed trailer and crane.

He said he “felt a bump” when the tragedy occurred at the Lochgelly premises of Robert Purvis Plant Hire on September 3 2015.

When he heard someone sound a horn at him, he noticed Mr Bratchie in his mirror.

CCTV footage showed Mr Elder get out of his cab with his hands over his face.

Robert Purvis Plant Hire denies two breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act, 1972, causing injury to Mr Bratchie which resulted in his death.

Asked during a trial at Dunfermline Sheriff Court if it was obvious Mr Bratchie was dead when he saw him, Mr Elder replied “yes”.

He said he had worked with the grandfather, from Lochgelly, for three and a half years before the accident and described him as a “great guy”.

Mr Elder’s HGV was due to be repaired at the firm’s workshop at Cartmore Industrial Estate but as there was no space, he left it in a tipper lorry parking area 60-70ft away.

When he returned to the yard later that afternoon his lorry was blocking the way for returning tipper lorries.

Advocate Susan Duff said to Mr Elder: “Presented with that scenario, seeing your vehicle where you left it, you went to move your vehicle and didn’t do the walk round check you would have done in an ordinary situation?”

Mr Elder replied: “Yes.”

The court heard mechanics were instructed to use signs and steering wheel covers if necessary to indicate that a vehicle was being worked on and should not be moved, but Mr Elder said none was in use this time.

Workshop manager Cameron Bell told the trial before Sheriff Christopher Shead he took safety very seriously and said workers were well aware of measures in place.

“If they didn’t have a good attitude to safety they wouldn’t be working there,” he said.

The trial continues.

If they didn’t have a good attitude to safety they wouldn’t be working there. CAMERON BELL, ROBERT PURVIS PLANT HIRE