Council fined for bin lorry death

Council fined for bin lorry death

Alexander Mackie: Died in July 2002

A council has been fined £20,000 following the death of an elderly man who was knocked down by a refuse lorry.

Aberdeen City Council admitted four charges of breaching health and safety regulations.

The man's family said they were considering civil action for compensation.

Alexander Mackie, a 74-year-old great grandfather, was hit by the 18-tonne bin lorry in the city's Lemon Street last July.

Risk assessment

The council admitted the crew should have been prohibited from driving the vehicle onto a pedestrian footpath.

They were also charged with failing to secure the safety of people on the footpath, having no system to warn the driver and also that there was an insufficient risk assessment.

Sheriff Graeme Buchanan said it was blindingly obvious the refuse lorry was a danger to pedestrians and the council had failed at an alarmingly basic level.

In a statement Aberdeen City Council offered its deepest sympathies and said they have since imposed restrictions on driving refuse lorries off road.

Staff have also been put through heath and safety refresher courses.

Outside the court Mr Mackie's son said it was hard to believe his father's life was only worth £20,000, although this was the maximum penalty which could be imposed.

The family are now considering civil action for compensation.