The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)

Family of bin lorry crash victim suing for compensati­on

Court: Glasgow City Council won’t contest claim

- BY LUCINDA CAMERON

The family of one of the Glasgow bin lorry crash victims are suing for compensati­on.

Jacqueline Morton, 51, was one of six people who died when the refuse lorry, driven by Harry Clarke, lost control in Glasgow city centre in December 2014.

Her sons, Adam and Scott, and other family members are suing Glasgow City Council, which employed Mr Clarke, over the incident.

The council does not intend to contest the action, which will be settled by its insurers with a settlement already agreed.

A fatal accident inquiry (FAI) heard Mr Clarke had a history of health issues but had not disclosed his medical background to his employers or the DVLA.

Sheriff John Beckett QC, who chaired the FAI, ruled the crash might have been avoided if Mr Clarke had told the truth about his medical history.

Legal firm Digby Brown has raised the action on behalf of Ms Morton’s family at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.

A spokesman said: “As this is an ongoing matter before the court, it would be inappropri­ate to comment at this time.”

The claims are made against the council on the basis of “vicarious liability”, which refers to a situation where someone is held responsibl­e for the actions or omissions of another person.

A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: “The council’s insurers are working to settle claims. Our thoughts remain with bereaved families and those who were injured.”

The council’s insurers are dealing with a number of claims from families and individual­s. The wreckage of an Irish Coastguard helicopter which struck an island and crashed into the Atlantic has been found.

A remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) sent down into the water to film a specific area of seabed has confirmed the aircraft is lying about 60m off Blackrock island, off the coast of Co Mayo.

The Sikorsky S92 helicopter is believed to have hit the island before crashing into the sea over a week ago.

Captain Dara Fitzpatric­k, a 45-year-old mother-of-one, is the only one of the four crew to have been recovered from the ocean so far.

The other crew members, Captain Mark Duffy, Winchman Ciaran Smith and Winch Operator Paul Ormsby, remain missing.

The ROV was not able to confirm if the three missing crew are with the wreckage.

“Operations are continuing but are weather dependent,” Ireland’s Air Acci-

“Only one of the four crew to have been recovered”

dent Investigat­ion Unit said.

It is hoped further submersibl­e operations can take place later but as weather conditions change and winds and swells build it is unlikely dive teams will be able to get into the water.

 ??  ?? BY ED CARTY
BY ED CARTY
 ??  ?? TRAGEDY: Jacqueline Morton, 51, was one of six people who died in the crash
TRAGEDY: Jacqueline Morton, 51, was one of six people who died in the crash
 ??  ?? Scene of the 2014 refuse lorry crash in Glasgow
Scene of the 2014 refuse lorry crash in Glasgow
 ??  ?? Specialist rescue boats near to Blackrock island
Specialist rescue boats near to Blackrock island

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