Charges brought over mine deaths

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Scottish Coal has been charged with four health and safety offences over the deaths of two miners in Ayrshire.

It was accused of failing to ensure a safe system of working at Pennyvenie open cast mine near Dalmellington.

Colin Ferguson, 37, from Prestwick, and Brian French, 48, from Kelloholm, died there last February when their Land Rover was crushed by a tipper truck.

Scottish Coal denied the charges with subsidiary Castlebridge Plant. The case at Ayr Sheriff Court was continued.

It is alleged both companies allowed smaller vehicles to operate near larger trucks with reduced vision and without warning systems, such as radar or closed circuit TV in place, to prevent collisions.

They were also charged with failing to provide the dead men with suitable means of communicating with operators of other vehicles.