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| Inquiry told of threats after Glasgow bin lorry crash | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The inquiry into the bin lorry crash which killed six people in Glasgow has heard other crews were threatened in the aftermath of the tragedy. | |
| Glasgow City Council waste supervisor Douglas Gellan told the fatal accident inquiry (FAI) that large vehicles were no longer used in pedestrian precincts. | Glasgow City Council waste supervisor Douglas Gellan told the fatal accident inquiry (FAI) that large vehicles were no longer used in pedestrian precincts. |
| He told Glasgow Sheriff Court that this was due to public sensitivity about large bin lorries after the crash. | He told Glasgow Sheriff Court that this was due to public sensitivity about large bin lorries after the crash. |
| The inquiry is examining the lorry, its route and driver Harry Clarke's health. | The inquiry is examining the lorry, its route and driver Harry Clarke's health. |
| The court previously heard that the 58-year-old driver was unconscious at the wheel as the Glasgow City Council bin lorry went out of control on Queen Street in the city centre, killing six pedestrians and injuring 15 others. | The court previously heard that the 58-year-old driver was unconscious at the wheel as the Glasgow City Council bin lorry went out of control on Queen Street in the city centre, killing six pedestrians and injuring 15 others. |
| 'Public sensitivity' | 'Public sensitivity' |
| Mr Gellan, an area manager with Glasgow City Council's land and environmental services department, was giving evidence on the sixth day of the FAI, which is being overseen by Sheriff John Beckett QC. | Mr Gellan, an area manager with Glasgow City Council's land and environmental services department, was giving evidence on the sixth day of the FAI, which is being overseen by Sheriff John Beckett QC. |
| He told the court that large bin lorries, of the type involved in the crash on 22 December last year, were only used in pedestrian precincts between 07:00 and 08:00 and between midnight and 05:00. | He told the court that large bin lorries, of the type involved in the crash on 22 December last year, were only used in pedestrian precincts between 07:00 and 08:00 and between midnight and 05:00. |
| The witness said there was no concern from the council but the decision had been taken out of "sensitivity" to public following the crash. | The witness said there was no concern from the council but the decision had been taken out of "sensitivity" to public following the crash. |
| He also revealed that some bin lorry crews had been subjected to threats from members of the public after the tragedy. | |
| The inquiry previously heard that bin lorry crews received no training in what to do in the event of a driver falling ill. | The inquiry previously heard that bin lorry crews received no training in what to do in the event of a driver falling ill. |
| Mr Gellan told the FAI on Wednesday that there was nothing in the council's risk assessment document with regard to crews responding to a driver falling ill. | Mr Gellan told the FAI on Wednesday that there was nothing in the council's risk assessment document with regard to crews responding to a driver falling ill. |
| He told the court this was a standard position as no training existed for staff for such a circumstance. | He told the court this was a standard position as no training existed for staff for such a circumstance. |
| The witness said the document covered risks for bin lorries travelling around city, including crashes, and that the risk of a crash was rated as "tolerable". | The witness said the document covered risks for bin lorries travelling around city, including crashes, and that the risk of a crash was rated as "tolerable". |
| He also outlined a series of safety measures taken by the council in relation to bin lorry collections such as driver training, regular driver and licence checks, refresher training after infringements and route and work supervision. | He also outlined a series of safety measures taken by the council in relation to bin lorry collections such as driver training, regular driver and licence checks, refresher training after infringements and route and work supervision. |
| 'Competent professionals' | 'Competent professionals' |
| In relation to the risk assessment of routes taken by bin lorries, it was noted these covered collection points and possible concerns such as schools, low bridges and narrow roads | In relation to the risk assessment of routes taken by bin lorries, it was noted these covered collection points and possible concerns such as schools, low bridges and narrow roads |
| Mr Gellan said that drivers determined their own routes as they were licensed and "competent" professionals who knew how to assess everyday risks like weather and traffic. | Mr Gellan said that drivers determined their own routes as they were licensed and "competent" professionals who knew how to assess everyday risks like weather and traffic. |
| The witness said drivers were informed about events in the city centre - such as demonstrations - and routes were altered to accommodate these with drivers told to avoid them. | The witness said drivers were informed about events in the city centre - such as demonstrations - and routes were altered to accommodate these with drivers told to avoid them. |
| Collections were also avoided at closing time around pubs and clubs for safety reasons. | Collections were also avoided at closing time around pubs and clubs for safety reasons. |
| He said it would be "hugely impractical" to have a detailed route assessment which covers every street and turn. | He said it would be "hugely impractical" to have a detailed route assessment which covers every street and turn. |
| 'Driver responsibility' | 'Driver responsibility' |
| Mr Gellan said the council did not undertake seasonal risk assessments and said that at Christmas the city centre was about as busy as a normal Saturday afternoon. | Mr Gellan said the council did not undertake seasonal risk assessments and said that at Christmas the city centre was about as busy as a normal Saturday afternoon. |
| He added: "It's down to the driver to drive properly and safely during these times, whether it's busy or quiet." | He added: "It's down to the driver to drive properly and safely during these times, whether it's busy or quiet." |
| Erin McQuade, 18, her grandparents Jack Sweeney, 68, and his 69-year-old wife Lorraine, all from Dumbarton, died in the incident in the city's Queen Street and George Square. | Erin McQuade, 18, her grandparents Jack Sweeney, 68, and his 69-year-old wife Lorraine, all from Dumbarton, died in the incident in the city's Queen Street and George Square. |
| Stephenie Tait, 29, and Jacqueline Morton, 51, both from Glasgow, and Gillian Ewing, 52, from Edinburgh, were also killed when the truck mounted the pavement before crashing into the side of the Millennium Hotel. | Stephenie Tait, 29, and Jacqueline Morton, 51, both from Glasgow, and Gillian Ewing, 52, from Edinburgh, were also killed when the truck mounted the pavement before crashing into the side of the Millennium Hotel. |
| A further 15 people were injured. | A further 15 people were injured. |
| The Crown Office has already concluded that there will be no criminal prosecution over the crash, with senior lawyers deeming it a "tragic accident". | The Crown Office has already concluded that there will be no criminal prosecution over the crash, with senior lawyers deeming it a "tragic accident". |