Family fund legal fight for man killed by bridge boom

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

John Cousin was directing the crane on the north tower deck of the new bridge when the incident occurred on 28 April last year.

The 62-year-old had just taken part in a minute’s silence to commemorate International Workers’ Memorial Day.

Mr Cousin, from Northumberland, suffered severe blood loss and died.

Solicitor Stuart Cochran told a preliminary hearing yesterday that Mr Cousin’s family had decided “late in the day” to become involved.

The inquiry starts at Stirling Sheriff Court next week.