New driver in court over fatal crash

A woman knocked down and killed a man just six weeks after passing her driving test.

Samantha Goff, 22, of South Queensferry, caused the death of 60-year-old Alan Mcbain and severely injured his wife Dawn, 59, in the collision in Edinburgh last year.

The couple were walking single file along an unclassified road, facing traffic and wearing purple jackets when they were struck by her Mini Coop- er coming towards them. Mr Mcbain suffered injuries to his head, chest and abdomen and was pronounced dead 50 minutes after the crash on 30 January last year.

His wife spent five weeks in hospital, has no memory of the incident and now uses a walking stick.

Goff pleaded guilty at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday to causing Mr Mcbain’s death and severely injuring his wife by driving without due care and attention.

During the police investigation, she told officers that she thought she may have hit a patch of ice and lost control of the car.

Experts estimated that Goff had been travelling at 37mph on the 60mph limit road.

Defence solicitor Colm Dempsey told Sheriff Donald Corke: “This is a tragic case with catastrophic consequences. Nothing I can say can ease the pain and anguish of the family.”

Sheriff Corke called for background reports and deferred sentencing on Goff.