THE GMB union said it would welcome a fatal accident inquiry into the bin lorry tragedy in Glasgow.

 

Cal Waterson, regional organiser of GMB Scotland, said: "I wouldn't like to speculate at the moment because we're still waiting for the police report to be published but, obviously, there was pressure being put on the accelerator.

"How would the crew have been expected to prevent that? That's something that I hope a Fatal Accident Inquiry would look into and be able to come up with some recommendations whereby we can put in some overriding device in the rear of the cab or something similar."

He was speaking after it was reported that crew members suffered injuries as they tried to prevent the lorry careering out of control.

One suffered facial injuries and a second hurt his hip as they tried to rouse the driver, who had collapsed.

Their efforts were said to have been hampered by a metal rail inside the cab between the driver and other crew, who sit on a raised bench in the rear.

It presented an obstacle and both men sustained their injuries as they were jostled by the erratic movement of the vehicle.

There was an air-brake in the cab which slowly reduces speed but neither of the two crew was trained in how to drive the bin lorry and so neither knew how to bring it to a halt.

The vehicle only came to rest after crashing into the Millennium Hotel.

The driver has been named as 58 year-old Harry Clarke.

He has since reportedly said he was diagnosed with a heart condition following the crash on December 22.