Tearful evidence in case of tragic cyclist pulled under car

A crash investigator broke down in tears describing the moment a cyclist was pulled under a car following a collision with a van.

PC Fay MacLeod was giving evidence at the Peterhead trial of Christopher Morrison, who denies causing the death of Boddam man Robert Cowie by driving carelessly.

The jury heard how Morrison, a 41-year-old delivery driver, struck Mr Cowie on the A90 Aberdeen to Peterhead road near the junction to Stirlinghill Quarry on December 2, 2020.

PC MacLeod told the town’s sheriff court that “clean marks” were found on the front passenger headlight of Morrison’s white Volkswagen Crafter van, indicating that something wiped the area clean of dirt as a result of making contact.

Further “black rubberlike marks” were also reported down the side of the van matching the height of Mr Cowie’s black handlebar covers, the court heard.

The court was also shown a photo of Mr Cowie’s high-vis orange jacket in which dirt and grime marks were visible. The officer broke down and wept while reading her report conclusions, which said Mr Cowie, 52, had gone under the wheel of the Seat car being driven by Catherine Thomson.

She said: “The front near side of the car had collided with the deceased, causing the plastic bumper to snap. The front nearside wheel was driven over the deceased’s body, pulling him under the car.”

Stills taken from dashcam footage of a van travelling on the northbound side of the road were shown to the jury and captured the moment Mr Cowie was struck by Morrison’s van.

The trial continues.

Christopher Morrison.