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| Glasgow bin lorry crash driver's references 'seen' by council | Glasgow bin lorry crash driver's references 'seen' by council |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Glasgow bin lorry inquiry into the deaths of six people has heard that the driver Harry Clarke had satisfactory references - but they cannot be found. | The Glasgow bin lorry inquiry into the deaths of six people has heard that the driver Harry Clarke had satisfactory references - but they cannot be found. |
| Glasgow City Council human resources manager Geraldine Ham said there were no references on Mr Clarke's file. | Glasgow City Council human resources manager Geraldine Ham said there were no references on Mr Clarke's file. |
| But she told the inquiry that an email from 2011 stated an interviewer was satisfied with his references. | But she told the inquiry that an email from 2011 stated an interviewer was satisfied with his references. |
| Mr Clarke, 58, was unconscious when the bin lorry veered out of control in central Glasgow on 22 December 2014. | Mr Clarke, 58, was unconscious when the bin lorry veered out of control in central Glasgow on 22 December 2014. |
| Six pedestrians were killed and 15 others injured when the vehicle mounted the pavement and careered along Queen Street and George Square before crashing into the Millennium Hotel outside Queen Street station. | Six pedestrians were killed and 15 others injured when the vehicle mounted the pavement and careered along Queen Street and George Square before crashing into the Millennium Hotel outside Queen Street station. |
| The fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into the tragedy is being overseen by Sheriff John Beckett QC at Glasgow Sheriff Court. | The fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into the tragedy is being overseen by Sheriff John Beckett QC at Glasgow Sheriff Court. |
| Personnel file | Personnel file |
| The FAI earlier heard that Mr Clarke was suspended from his previous employer, First Bus, on 28 December 2010 and started work with Glasgow City Council on 5 January 2011. | The FAI earlier heard that Mr Clarke was suspended from his previous employer, First Bus, on 28 December 2010 and started work with Glasgow City Council on 5 January 2011. |
| It was also told that the council could not locate any references from Mr Clarke's previous employers on his personnel file. | It was also told that the council could not locate any references from Mr Clarke's previous employers on his personnel file. |
| Ms Ham gave her second day of evidence on Friday - the eighth day of the inquiry. | Ms Ham gave her second day of evidence on Friday - the eighth day of the inquiry. |
| She said the council takes up references to check on candidates but none were held in Mr Clarke's file. | She said the council takes up references to check on candidates but none were held in Mr Clarke's file. |
| The form sent to referees asks about the employment dates, sickness in the previous two years, "live disciplinary actions" and the reason for leaving. | The form sent to referees asks about the employment dates, sickness in the previous two years, "live disciplinary actions" and the reason for leaving. |
| Ms Ham said that while she could not locate references for Mr Clarke, she had identified an email which confirmed that a job interviewer was satisfied with the content of all the references sought - including those of Mr Clarke. | Ms Ham said that while she could not locate references for Mr Clarke, she had identified an email which confirmed that a job interviewer was satisfied with the content of all the references sought - including those of Mr Clarke. |
| She told the inquiry that the email was sent on 25 March 2011, three months after the driver was employed, and references were "signed off" after Mr Clarke had started work at council. | |
| Health form | Health form |
| Earlier, Ms Ham told the FAI that Mr Clarke had filled out a medical questionnaire as part of his application, but this could not be found. | Earlier, Ms Ham told the FAI that Mr Clarke had filled out a medical questionnaire as part of his application, but this could not be found. |
| A blank form was shown to the court. It included "yes/no checkboxes" which asked about various conditions such as "dizziness and light-headedness", "stress or anxiety" and "heart diseases". | A blank form was shown to the court. It included "yes/no checkboxes" which asked about various conditions such as "dizziness and light-headedness", "stress or anxiety" and "heart diseases". |
| The FAI was also shown a Bupa report on Mr Clarke, dated December 2010, in which he declared one period of sickness, totalling seven days, in the previous two years. | The FAI was also shown a Bupa report on Mr Clarke, dated December 2010, in which he declared one period of sickness, totalling seven days, in the previous two years. |
| The court heard that his First Bus employment record showed a total of 33 days absence in the previous two years. | The court heard that his First Bus employment record showed a total of 33 days absence in the previous two years. |
| Ms Ham told the inquiry that if the council had known of Mr Clarke's sickness history, it would have been taken into account in his job application. | |
| The FAI also heard that Mr Clarke received a letter from First Bus, 29 December 2010, stating that he was suspended on full pay and was required to attend a suspension/disciplinary hearing on 31 December 2010. | |
| He offered his resignation to First Bus on 28 December 2010. | |
| The FAI was told that Mr Clarke's First Bus employee exit form stated that there were no issues with his attendance, performance or conduct and he was suitable for re-engagement with the company. | |
| Alleged fainting | |
| Ms Ham said that Mr Clarke's suspension from First Bus, which the council was unaware of, would "not necessarily" have prevented him from being hired. | |
| But she said that withholding relevant information could have led to the job offer being withdrawn. | |
| The witness also confirmed that the council did not know about an alleged fainting episode involving Mr Clarke in April 2010, which was diagnosed as a "vasovagal episode". | |
| She said nothing about this incident was mentioned in any of the council health assessments or questionnaires that he had completed. | |
| Ms Ham said the council would have ordered further medical inquiries if it had known. | |
| 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". |