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Survivors of Glasgow bin lorry crash reveal devastating impact of accident 'Please don’t let me die' - Glasgow bin lorry crash survivors recall tragedy
(about 1 hour later)
Many survivors of the Glasgow bin lorry crash have struggled to return to the scene of the tragedy that claimed the lives of six people, a fatal accident inquiry has heard.Many survivors of the Glasgow bin lorry crash have struggled to return to the scene of the tragedy that claimed the lives of six people, a fatal accident inquiry has heard.
A series of victim impact statements read at Glasgow sheriff court on Tuesday detailed the horrific injuries many suffered and the impact the accident has had on their lives.A series of victim impact statements read at Glasgow sheriff court on Tuesday detailed the horrific injuries many suffered and the impact the accident has had on their lives.
Alix Stewart, who was 14 at the time of the crash, was meeting friends in Royal Exchange Square when she was hit by the bin lorry and dragged under it to George Square.Alix Stewart, who was 14 at the time of the crash, was meeting friends in Royal Exchange Square when she was hit by the bin lorry and dragged under it to George Square.
A statement written by her father Colin detailed how she suffered a catalogue of injuries including a broken collar bone, ribs, femur and three spinal bones. She lost her right ear and all the skin was “scraped off her back”, leaving permanent scarring. A statement written by her father, Colin, detailed how she suffered a catalogue of injuries including a broken collar bone, ribs, femur and three spinal bones. She lost her right ear and all the skin was “scraped off her back”, leaving permanent scarring.
Alix’s father told how she had been picked for the Scottish basketball team only days before the crash on 22 December last year. She did not play the sport for seven months and was off school for an extended period, but has since returned and has also been picked for the Scotland team once again.Alix’s father told how she had been picked for the Scottish basketball team only days before the crash on 22 December last year. She did not play the sport for seven months and was off school for an extended period, but has since returned and has also been picked for the Scotland team once again.
Stewart said his daughter did not remember being hit by the lorry but could remember being dragged along the road and thinking “please don’t let me die”. His statement read: “She has returned to George Square only once since and she told me she wouldn’t go back. She is also anxious when she sees a bin lorry and starts shaking. I also shiver.”Stewart said his daughter did not remember being hit by the lorry but could remember being dragged along the road and thinking “please don’t let me die”. His statement read: “She has returned to George Square only once since and she told me she wouldn’t go back. She is also anxious when she sees a bin lorry and starts shaking. I also shiver.”
Irene McAuley also submitted a statement on the impact of the crash on her life. The 18-year-old said she remembered waking up on Queen Street after the crash. She suffered a broken ankle and lost several teeth. She also required a bone graft from her hip to her jaw.Irene McAuley also submitted a statement on the impact of the crash on her life. The 18-year-old said she remembered waking up on Queen Street after the crash. She suffered a broken ankle and lost several teeth. She also required a bone graft from her hip to her jaw.
McAuley said she now avoids Royal Exchange Square but has found it difficult as she studies in Glasgow. She also said that when she drives she “visualises every crash she could be involved in”.McAuley said she now avoids Royal Exchange Square but has found it difficult as she studies in Glasgow. She also said that when she drives she “visualises every crash she could be involved in”.
Her statement read: “I found myself more anxious and couldn’t go near a bin lorry. I had nightmares for weeks after the crash and they still return.”Her statement read: “I found myself more anxious and couldn’t go near a bin lorry. I had nightmares for weeks after the crash and they still return.”
Marie Weatherall, 64, spent a month in hospital after the crash and has had pins inserted in her leg and arm. She said the accident had taken away her confidence and motivation, and being in hospital meant she missed her grand-daughter’s first Christmas. Marie Weatherall, 64, spent a month in hospital after the crash and has had pins inserted in her leg and arm. She said the accident had taken away her confidence and motivation, and being in hospital meant she missed her granddaughter’s first Christmas.
Her statement said: “I think about the people who died all the time and it upsets me. I feel as though my life has been put on hold since the incident.”Her statement said: “I think about the people who died all the time and it upsets me. I feel as though my life has been put on hold since the incident.”
Elaine Morrell, 49, suffered four facial fractures in the crash and has had a titanium plate fitted. She said she avoided leaving the house for four months after the crash.Elaine Morrell, 49, suffered four facial fractures in the crash and has had a titanium plate fitted. She said she avoided leaving the house for four months after the crash.
She said in her statement: “I’ve started walking in Glasgow city centre with company now but it’s taken a long time to get to that stage. I’m getting nearer George Square but I can’t go back yet.”She said in her statement: “I’ve started walking in Glasgow city centre with company now but it’s taken a long time to get to that stage. I’m getting nearer George Square but I can’t go back yet.”
Morrell has not returned to work in her city-centre office as it overlooks the scene of the crash.Morrell has not returned to work in her city-centre office as it overlooks the scene of the crash.
Related: Glasgow bin lorry crash: all six victims namedRelated: Glasgow bin lorry crash: all six victims named
Erin McQuade, 18, and her grandparents, Jack Sweeney, 68, and Lorraine Sweeney, 69, from Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire, Stephenie Tait, 29, and Jacqueline Morton, 51, both from Glasgow, and Gillian Ewing, 52, from Edinburgh, were killed when the lorry driven by Harry Clarke veered out of control during a routine rubbish collection.Erin McQuade, 18, and her grandparents, Jack Sweeney, 68, and Lorraine Sweeney, 69, from Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire, Stephenie Tait, 29, and Jacqueline Morton, 51, both from Glasgow, and Gillian Ewing, 52, from Edinburgh, were killed when the lorry driven by Harry Clarke veered out of control during a routine rubbish collection.