‘No justice’ to memories of Clutha victims: Claim

Pilot’s fiancee slams crash report on Glasgow helicopter tragedy

The inquiry report into the helicopter crash that killed 10 people in Glasgow does no justice to the memories of the victims, according to the pilot’s fiancee.

David Traill was one of three crew members who died along with seven customers when the Police Scotland aircraft fell on to the roof of the Clutha Bar on November 29, 2013.

A fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into the crash concluded it was caused by the captain’s failure to ensure at least one of the fuel transfer pump switches was set to on. However, in a statement nearly a week after the inquiry’s findings, Mr Traill’s fiancee Dr Lucy Thomas broke her silence to criticise the decision of Sheriff Principal Craig Turnbull.

Dr Thomas said she had been compelled to respond after feeling “overwhelmed by the support that I have received from so many people, many of whom don’t know me and didn’t know Dave”.

She said: “In my opinion, the sheriff principal’s determination does no justice to the memories of Gary Arthur, Tony Collins, Joe Cusker, Colin Gibson, Robert Jenkins, John McGarrigle, Samuel McGhee, Kirsty Nelis, Mark O’Prey, and to the memory and reputation of Dave Traill.

“It insults the intelligence of those who know of the evidence presented at the inquiry and are aware of the content of the initial AAIB report.

“Disbelief has been expressed by many family members of those who died and by members of the public at the conclusion drawn by Sheriff Principal Turnbull, who incredulously stated that Dave consciously took risks which caused the accident.

“This expression of disbelief speaks volumes and means much more to me than the opinion of the sheriff principal.

“I find it distressing and incomprehensible that given months, not moments, to consider the facts, the sheriff principal has come to this conclusion.

“He chose not to concentrate on the fact that the EC135 model of helicopter has a history of faults with the caution advisory display, specifically a history of erroneous or spurious fuel indications, among other technical problems such as contamination of the fuel tanks, issues still never fully resolved by the manufacturer.”

More than 100 people were at the pub when the helicopter crashed.

Picture: PA. The wreckage of the police Eurocopter being lifted from the Clutha Bar roof after the tragedy.