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No vehicle fault in Glasgow bin lorry crash inquiry told No vehicle fault in Glasgow bin lorry crash inquiry told
(35 minutes later)
A fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into the Glasgow bin lorry crash, in which six people died, has heard that there was no mechanical fault with the vehicle.A fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into the Glasgow bin lorry crash, in which six people died, has heard that there was no mechanical fault with the vehicle.
The first day of the FAI at Glasgow Sheriff Court was also shown CCTV footage of the crash, during which some family members chose not to be present.The first day of the FAI at Glasgow Sheriff Court was also shown CCTV footage of the crash, during which some family members chose not to be present.
Matthew Telford, who was on the three-man crew of the lorry on the day of the crash, has begun giving evidence.Matthew Telford, who was on the three-man crew of the lorry on the day of the crash, has begun giving evidence.
The inquiry will focus on the vehicle, its route and the driver, Harry Clarke.The inquiry will focus on the vehicle, its route and the driver, Harry Clarke.
Sheriff John Beckett QC, who is overseeing the FAI, began proceedings by telling family members of those who died: "I can only imagine the shock, pain and anguish which you have suffered following your sudden and terrible loss."Sheriff John Beckett QC, who is overseeing the FAI, began proceedings by telling family members of those who died: "I can only imagine the shock, pain and anguish which you have suffered following your sudden and terrible loss."
Following the minute's silence, the joint minute of agreed facts was read to the court. Following a minute's silence to remember the victims, a joint minute of agreed facts was read to the court.
It listed those who were killed and injured, The first witness called in the inquiry was Mr Telford, a council refuse collector with 18 years service.
He had been working on bin lorries in the city centre for seven years at the time of the crash.
Mr Telford said that to his knowledge, the driver Harry Clarke had had an operation on his hands but had no other health problems, such as dizziness or fainting, in the previous three years.
The witness said he spent most of his time at the back of the vehicle, and had had safety training in relation to that.
Staff training
He said that he and fellow crewman, Henry Toal, had no knowledge of the driving area of the vehicle, or its controls, and had no training on what to do if someone fell ill in the truck.
Mr Telford told the FAI that, since the crash, crews were now given route sheets but from a safety perspective procedures had "not really" changed.
The witness said that he and Mr Toal would load bins on to the back of the lorry and Mr Clarke, whom he described as laid back, would occasionally help.
He could not recall anything out of the ordinary on the day of crash and said the crew had talked about Christmas and football.
Earlier, the minute-of-fact read in court listed those who were killed and injured,
It detailed the road layout around George Square and noted that Christmas decorations and an ice rink were in place on day of the tragedy.It detailed the road layout around George Square and noted that Christmas decorations and an ice rink were in place on day of the tragedy.
The road surface was described as being in a "good state of repair" and said to have had no effect on the incident. The weather and visibility were also both fine.The road surface was described as being in a "good state of repair" and said to have had no effect on the incident. The weather and visibility were also both fine.
The minute stated that Harry Clarke, named as Henry in court documents, was driving the Glasgow City Council bin lorry. His colleagues, Henry Toal and Matthew Telford, were the other crew on board. The minute listed the crew members on board the lorry and detailed the path it took as it hit buildings, cars and pedestrians.
'Not deliberate''Not deliberate'
The inquiry was told that all three men would give evidence.
The minute detailed the path the bin lorry took as it hit buildings, cars and pedestrians.
It said "numerous" members of the public saw Mr Clarke apparently unconscious behind the wheel, and there was "nothing to suggest the incident was a deliberate act".It said "numerous" members of the public saw Mr Clarke apparently unconscious behind the wheel, and there was "nothing to suggest the incident was a deliberate act".
In terms of the technical specification of the lorry, the FAI was told that it had been fully inspected before delivery and had various safety features fitted as required by the council.In terms of the technical specification of the lorry, the FAI was told that it had been fully inspected before delivery and had various safety features fitted as required by the council.
The lorry had foot and hand brakes and an engine brake designed to slow it on hills, although the FAI was told the latter would have had "minimal effect at road speed".The lorry had foot and hand brakes and an engine brake designed to slow it on hills, although the FAI was told the latter would have had "minimal effect at road speed".
The minute described "major impact damage" to the lorry following the crash and said that there were "no pre-collision defects".The minute described "major impact damage" to the lorry following the crash and said that there were "no pre-collision defects".
Its mechanical condition prior to the crash was not a factor.Its mechanical condition prior to the crash was not a factor.
The court was also played DVD clips of the lorry following the crash, which showed exterior and interior damage, including broken glass on the dashboard with the keys still in the ignition.The court was also played DVD clips of the lorry following the crash, which showed exterior and interior damage, including broken glass on the dashboard with the keys still in the ignition.
Inquiry focusInquiry focus
Solicitor General Lesley Thomson QC, Scotland's second most senior law officer, is leading the FAI and has previously said the inquiry would examine three main areas.Solicitor General Lesley Thomson QC, Scotland's second most senior law officer, is leading the FAI and has previously said the inquiry would examine three main areas.
One is the medical background, employment record and training of the driver, Mr Clarke, who has since said he has no memory of the crash itself.One is the medical background, employment record and training of the driver, Mr Clarke, who has since said he has no memory of the crash itself.
The second is the technical aspects of the vehicle and whether any measures could have brought it to a controlled stop, and the third is the safety of the route taken by the vehicle given the time of day and year.The second is the technical aspects of the vehicle and whether any measures could have brought it to a controlled stop, and the third is the safety of the route taken by the vehicle given the time of day and year.
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 10 people were injured.A further 10 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".
The FAI was originally to take place before Sheriff Principal Craig Scott, but he withdrew earlier this year after realising he knew one of the victims.The FAI was originally to take place before Sheriff Principal Craig Scott, but he withdrew earlier this year after realising he knew one of the victims.