Death crash action ends

GP Elizabeth Crabbie was struck off by the GMC

A widow whose author husband died when a drunken doctor drove into his car has settled her claim for £70,000 damages out of court.

Actress Fidelma Cook and her son Lorcan survived the collision, near Balbeggie, north-east of Perth, in which Graeme Cook died.

The crash was caused by GP Elizabeth Crabbie, who admitted losing control of her vehicle on the A94 after drinking several glasses of wine.

Mr Cook, who wrote children's stories, died instantly from multiple injuries when Dr Crabbie careered into his Peugeot in her Subaru while driving on the wrong side of the road.

The GP failed a breath test after the crash

Dr Crabbie, 56, was sent to prison for five years and was also struck off by the General Medical Council which monitors standards in the profession.

Mrs Cook had sought £60,000 for herself and a further £10,000 for her teenage son at Perth Sheriff Court.

However, during a hearing on Friday, it was revealed that there had been a settlement, with Dr Crabbie's insurers agreeing to pay what has been described as "a substantial amount".

The original writ said Mrs Cook had suffered anxiety, stress and depression as well as grief.

Her late husband, it was said, had done all the housework and cared for 14-year-old Lorcan.

'Utterly irresponsible'

Dr Crabbie will be released from Cornton Vale, Scotland's only women's jail, later this year, it is believed

The former GP was also banned from driving for 10 years when she appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh in April 2000.

The judge, Lord Milligan, told her that her "utterly irresponsible conduct" had led to "the life of a totally innocent person being taken away".

Tests revealed that Dr Crabbie had 249 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood - more than three times the 80 mg limit.

Dr Crabbie had admitted causing death by dangerous driving at a previous hearing.