This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-33787311
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Glasgow bin lorry crash: Doctors 'missed opportunity' on driver's health | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A doctor has admitted he failed to get an accurate account of what happened to the Glasgow bin lorry crash driver when he previously blacked out behind the wheel of a bus. | |
Harry Clarke lost consciousness while working for First Bus in April 2010. | |
He gave differing accounts of what had happened to his employer and to his GP. | |
Mr Clarke went on to work for Glasgow City Council and was at the wheel of the bin lorry which crashed last year, killing six people. | |
The 58-year-old was unconscious when the bin lorry veered out of control in Glasgow city centre on 22 December. | |
Dr Kenneth Lyons, the medical advisor to First Bus, told the fatal accident inquiry into the tragedy that he was told Mr Clarke lost consciousness on a stationary bus for five to ten seconds during the 2010 incident. | |
But the inquiry at Glasgow Sheriff Court has also heard Mr Clarke told his GP he collapsed in a canteen. | |
It was put to Dr Lyons by Solicitor General Lesley Thomson that there was a missed opportunity for the two doctors to get a more accurate version of what had actually happened. | |
Dr Lyons said he recognised this with hindsight. | |
In his evidence to the inquiry, Dr Lyons said he had told Mr Clarke to "remain off driving duties" while his health was investigated. | |
He examined Mr Clarke the day after the incident and subsequently sent a letter to the practice of his GP. | |
The letter described how Mr Clarke's loss of consciousness took place on a stationary bus and asked for further advice. | The letter described how Mr Clarke's loss of consciousness took place on a stationary bus and asked for further advice. |
Under questioning from Ms Thomson, Dr Lyons said he "didn't want to influence" information he hoped to receive from Mr Clarke's GP and he "intentionally" did not include some details of the incident - such as Mr Clarke was working while on the bus - as he was seeking the GP's view. | |
The court had earlier heard from Dr Gerard McKaig, Mr Clarke's GP, who said Mr Clarke had told him that he had fainted in a canteen. | |
The GP then went on annual leave, so Dr Lyons received a response to his letter from a Dr Langan, who worked at the same practice as Dr McKaig. | |
The letter said Mr Clarke had been "waiting for his lunch in a hot environment" when he fainted, and the driver was "unlikely to have another one". | |
It concluded Mr Clarke was "fit to return to work as a bus driver". | |
Dr Lyons said this account was not "totally different" from what Mr Clarke had told him, as the letter "didn't say it wasn't on a bus". | |
Following Dr Langan's letter, Dr Lyons wrote a report for First Bus on Mr Clarke and advised he was "fit to return to driving duties". | |
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 said there will be no criminal prosecution over the crash. | The Crown Office has said there will be no criminal prosecution over the crash. |