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Glasgow bin lorry crash: Driver 'told pack of lies' | Glasgow bin lorry crash: Driver 'told pack of lies' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The driver of a Glasgow bin lorry which crashed, killing six people, has been accused of telling "a pack of lies" about his history of blackouts. | The driver of a Glasgow bin lorry which crashed, killing six people, has been accused of telling "a pack of lies" about his history of blackouts. |
Harry Clarke, 58, is being questioned for a second day at the inquiry into the crash on 22 December last year. | Harry Clarke, 58, is being questioned for a second day at the inquiry into the crash on 22 December last year. |
Dorothy Bain QC said he should never have been driving and accused him of showing "reckless indifference" by not disclosing earlier fainting episodes. | Dorothy Bain QC said he should never have been driving and accused him of showing "reckless indifference" by not disclosing earlier fainting episodes. |
She said his attitude was one of: "I'm all right Jack". The inquiry continues. | She said his attitude was one of: "I'm all right Jack". The inquiry continues. |
The fatal accident inquiry (FAI) at Glasgow Sheriff Court is looking at Mr Clarke's health, the bin lorry and its route. | The fatal accident inquiry (FAI) at Glasgow Sheriff Court is looking at Mr Clarke's health, the bin lorry and its route. |
Private prosecution | Private prosecution |
The inquiry has already heard that Mr Clarke was unconscious at the wheel of the Glasgow City Council bin lorry when it veered out of control on Queen Street, killing six people and injuring 15 others. | The inquiry has already heard that Mr Clarke was unconscious at the wheel of the Glasgow City Council bin lorry when it veered out of control on Queen Street, killing six people and injuring 15 others. |
It has also heard that he suffered an earlier blackout at the wheel of a bus in 2010 when he worked for First Bus as a driver. | It has also heard that he suffered an earlier blackout at the wheel of a bus in 2010 when he worked for First Bus as a driver. |
This episode, and his history of dizziness and other ailments, were not disclosed to Glasgow City Council and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). | This episode, and his history of dizziness and other ailments, were not disclosed to Glasgow City Council and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). |
Mr Clarke has been told he does not have to answer questions put to him about his medical history as he may face a private prosecution brought by two of the bereaved families. | Mr Clarke has been told he does not have to answer questions put to him about his medical history as he may face a private prosecution brought by two of the bereaved families. |
In his second day of evidence, Mr Clarke was cross-examined by Ms Bain, who is acting for the bereaved Morton family. | In his second day of evidence, Mr Clarke was cross-examined by Ms Bain, who is acting for the bereaved Morton family. |
After he refused to answer questions relating to his medical history, the QC asked if he would like witnesses to tell the truth if his own daughter had died. | After he refused to answer questions relating to his medical history, the QC asked if he would like witnesses to tell the truth if his own daughter had died. |
Mr Clarke refused to answer. | Mr Clarke refused to answer. |
Ms Bain said the six victims would still be alive if he had been honest about his medical past because he would never have been given jobs as a driver. | Ms Bain said the six victims would still be alive if he had been honest about his medical past because he would never have been given jobs as a driver. |
'Beyond belief' | 'Beyond belief' |
"You should never have been behind the wheel and you knew that," she told the witness. | "You should never have been behind the wheel and you knew that," she told the witness. |
"You took a chance and it has taken the lives of six people. The difference is you had a choice." | "You took a chance and it has taken the lives of six people. The difference is you had a choice." |
Ms Bain said the phrase "I'm all right Jack", summed up Mr Clarke's attitude. | Ms Bain said the phrase "I'm all right Jack", summed up Mr Clarke's attitude. |
The QC said that it was "incredible and beyond belief" that following the bin lorry tragedy, Mr Clarke had pursued getting his licence back. | The QC said that it was "incredible and beyond belief" that following the bin lorry tragedy, Mr Clarke had pursued getting his licence back. |
She ended her cross-examination by saying that if Mr Clarke "had told the truth all this could have been prevented". | She ended her cross-examination by saying that if Mr Clarke "had told the truth all this could have been prevented". |
The inquiry continues. | The inquiry continues. |