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| Glasgow bin lorry inquiry: Six deaths 'preventable' | Glasgow bin lorry inquiry: Six deaths 'preventable' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The six deaths in the Glasgow bin lorry crash could have been avoided had proper precautions been taken over the driver's health, an inquiry has heard. | The six deaths in the Glasgow bin lorry crash could have been avoided had proper precautions been taken over the driver's health, an inquiry has heard. |
| A lawyer for the family of victim Jacqueline Morton said Harry Clarke, 58, was medically unfit to drive. | |
| Dana Forbes said Mr Clarke should have disclosed his history of blackouts. | Dana Forbes said Mr Clarke should have disclosed his history of blackouts. |
| She also said that better checks from doctors, and Mr Clarke's current and past employers, could have shown he was unfit to drive a bin lorry. | She also said that better checks from doctors, and Mr Clarke's current and past employers, could have shown he was unfit to drive a bin lorry. |
| The fatal accident inquiry (FAI), which is drawing to a close at Glasgow Sheriff Court, is looking at the health of Mr Clarke, the bin lorry and its route. | The fatal accident inquiry (FAI), which is drawing to a close at Glasgow Sheriff Court, is looking at the health of Mr Clarke, the bin lorry and its route. |
| Previous blackouts | Previous blackouts |
| It has already heard that Mr Clarke was unconscious at the wheel when the Glasgow City Council bin lorry veered out of control in Queen Street on 22 December last year. | It has already heard that Mr Clarke was unconscious at the wheel when the Glasgow City Council bin lorry veered out of control in Queen Street on 22 December last year. |
| Before it crashed into the side of the Millennium Hotel in George Square, the lorry had killed six people and injured 15 others. | Before it crashed into the side of the Millennium Hotel in George Square, the lorry had killed six people and injured 15 others. |
| The FAI has heard that Mr Clarke had suffered blackouts before - one of which was at the wheel of a bus in 2010. | The FAI has heard that Mr Clarke had suffered blackouts before - one of which was at the wheel of a bus in 2010. |
| He did not fully disclose this incident to his own doctors, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) or on application forms or medical declarations for council jobs. | He did not fully disclose this incident to his own doctors, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) or on application forms or medical declarations for council jobs. |
| In her closing submission on Wednesday, Ms Forbes, who is standing in for Dorothy Bain QC, said the overarching question of inquiry was: "Why was Mr Clarke driving the bin lorry for the council on the day of the crash?" | In her closing submission on Wednesday, Ms Forbes, who is standing in for Dorothy Bain QC, said the overarching question of inquiry was: "Why was Mr Clarke driving the bin lorry for the council on the day of the crash?" |
| She said he was unfit to hold an LGV licence as he had suffered from fainting episodes. | She said he was unfit to hold an LGV licence as he had suffered from fainting episodes. |
| The advocate said Mr Clarke could have prevented the deaths himself by disclosing his medical history at various points, or by following DVLA guidelines. | The advocate said Mr Clarke could have prevented the deaths himself by disclosing his medical history at various points, or by following DVLA guidelines. |
| She also said that if Mr Clarke's blackout at the wheel of a bus in April 2010 had been handled differently by doctors, the crash also may have been prevented. | She also said that if Mr Clarke's blackout at the wheel of a bus in April 2010 had been handled differently by doctors, the crash also may have been prevented. |
| Ms Forbes said Dr Kenneth Lyons, the medical advisor to First Bus, could have taken more precautions, as could Mr Clarke's GP Dr John Langan. | Ms Forbes said Dr Kenneth Lyons, the medical advisor to First Bus, could have taken more precautions, as could Mr Clarke's GP Dr John Langan. |
| She also said a difference could have been made had First Bus provided an accurate reference to Glasgow City Council over Mr Clarke's health and sickness record. | She also said a difference could have been made had First Bus provided an accurate reference to Glasgow City Council over Mr Clarke's health and sickness record. |
| The advocate further said that Glasgow City Council could have implemented an "adequate system of recruitment" for "safety critical roles" such as a bin lorry driver. | The advocate further said that Glasgow City Council could have implemented an "adequate system of recruitment" for "safety critical roles" such as a bin lorry driver. |
| The inquiry continues. | The inquiry continues. |