Death crash firefighter in court

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A firefighter has appeared in court after a deaf motorist was killed when his car was struck by a fire engine responding to a 999 call.

Falkirk Sheriff Court heard how Garry Trotter, 41, had gone through a red light before hitting John McIntosh in Bo'ness in May last year.

Mr Trotter was driving the appliance carrying four other firefighters when it struck the 51-year-old's car.

He denies careless driving, running a red light and failing to give way.

The appliance collided with Mr McIntosh's car at a traffic light-controlled junction at Linlithgow Road and Dean Road in Bo'ness on the afternoon of 24 May.

The court heard that the Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service engine was moving at about 40mph as it approached the junction.

The speed limit on the road is 30mph.

Red light

It had its blue lights flashing and was sounding a siren and horn.

Gordon Pride, Green Watch manager at Bo'ness fire station, was in the appliance when the crash happened.

He said: "The regulations for fire service drivers state that with certain exceptions firefighters are subject to the laws of the road.

"They also state that a red traffic light may be treated as a 'give way' sign and that it will be necessary to take extreme caution."

I thought he might have made it across but then I just heard a crunch Heather InglesEyewitness Fiscal depute Linda Cockburn asked Mr Pride if Mr Trotter had given way at the red light.

He replied: "No".

He added: "We did not see the car until it was at our A-frame - the posts that go up either side of the front window of the appliance.

"Then he disappeared below the windscreen.

"We got out and stabilised the car with blocks then gave first aid and put a collar on the driver."

Heather Ingles, who was filling up her car at a BP petrol station at the junction and knew Mr McIntosh as 'Jock', said she saw his car at the junction.

She said: "I heard the sirens but couldn't tell where it was coming from.

"I knew Jock was deaf and I thought 'he isn't going to hear the fire engine coming'.

"The lights went green for Jock and he moved off quite slowly.

"I thought he might have made it across but then I just heard a crunch."

Mr Trotter, from Seaview Place in Bo'ness, denies driving carelessly and over the speed limit, failing to give way and driving through a red light, striking a car driven by John McIntosh whereby he was injured and both vehicles were damaged.

The trial before Sheriff David Hall continues.