Published: Wednesday, 9th April, 2008 10:00
Bin lorry driver’s regret after pal's tragic death
By Court reporter
Print Article
THE ‘traumatised’ driver of a truck that crushed a binman to death admitted driving without due care.
Stephen Welsh died after his workmate David Cassidy reversed over him in his bin lorry.
Cassidy, 32, only realised what had happened when his friend’s body appeared on the road in front of him.
Cassidy appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Wednesday after admitting driving without due care and attention and injuring 35-year-old Mr Welsh, on January 23 last year.
Maria Kicinski, prosecuting, told the court that Cassidy was reversing the truck as Mr Welsh collected recyclable goods and threw them into compartments in the side of the vehicle.
Duntocher man Mr Welsh, who lived in Stark Avenue, began to cross a road to get to houses on the other side when the accident happened.
It is not known whether he fell to the ground or was hit by the lorry before being crushed beneath the back and front wheels.
Cassidy was horrified to see his friend’s body appear in front of him and immediately called for an ambulance.
Mr Welsh was taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary where he was treated for severe internal injuries but later died.
Miss Kicinski added: “The vehicle was inspected and found to have no mechanical defects.
“It was fitted with a camera which effectively acts as a rear view mirror and there were also mirrors fixed to the sides of the vehicle, but there is an area which cannot be seen — a blind spot.
“Mr Cassidy didn’t have a sufficient view of the rear of the vehicle and he accepts that measures should have been taken to make sure that it was safe to reverse.”
Hazel Emmerson, defending, told the court that the men had taken the same route and done the same job every week for two years with East Dunbartonshire Council.
She said: “On the day of the accident the road was icy and it’s possible that Mr Welsh slipped on the ice but this is something that will never be known.
“Mr Welsh was a colleague and a friend to Mr Cassidy and he has been deeply affected by this accident.
“He has been unable to drive the route ever since.”
The incident took place in Smeaton Avenue, Torrance.
Sheriff Margaret Liddell QC told the court: “This was a tragedy for everyone concerned.”
Cassidy, of Geelong Gardens, Lennoxtown, received eight penalty points and a £500 fine.
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