Glasgow bin lorry driver will NOT face charges over horror smash which killed six

THE DRIVER of a bin lorry which killed six people when it crashed in a busy Glasgow street will not face any charges, it emerged today.

The Glasgow bin lorry crash killed sixGETTY

Six people were killed in the horrific incident

There was no evidence to suggest that the conduct Harry Clarke, who collapsed at the wheel of the vehicle, breached the law, according to the Crown Office.

Two of Mr Clarke's colleagues siting in the rear of the driver's cab attempted to rouse him but their efforts were hampered by a safety rail.

The 58-year-old driver tested negative for drink-driving and has since been diagnosed with a heart condition.

Glasgow City Council will also face no charges after the Crown Office found that there was no evidence to support a prosecution.

However it added that a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) into the causes of this tragedy will now take place "as soon as possible".

There is insufficient evidence that the drivers conduct amounted to a criminal offence

Crown Office

A statement from the Crown Office, Scotland's prosecuting body, said: "There is insufficient evidence that the drivers conduct amounted to a criminal offence and therefore the driver was not responsible in criminal law for the accident."

It added: "The next of kin of those who died in the incident have been informed of the decision not to bring a prosecution but to hold a Fatal Accident Inquiry to determine the cause of the crash and establish what lessons can be learned from this tragic incident."

It said that it "not appropriate to speculate" whether Mr Clarke had a heart attack.

It continued: "The causes of the accident will be judicially determined at a FAI where all of the evidence in relation to the drivers health will be considered."

Mr Clarke has previously spoken out about the ordeal, saying that "every day is a struggle".

The lorry careered down a busy Glasgow street when its driver collapsedGETTY

The lorry careered down a busy street when its driver collapsed

He told the Daily Record: "I have racked my brain to try to remember but I can't. I will never know what happened other than people telling me what they saw.

"I know going forward that won't help the families, but I just want all the families of injured or deceased victims to know I can't remember anything - I wish I could but I was unconscious.

"I think of everyone every minute of every day. Every day is a struggle."

The tragedy left six dead and 10 injured when the lorry careered out of control, colliding with pedestrians and mounting the pavement.

Erin McQuade, 18, and her grandparents Jack Sweeney, 68, and his 69-year-old wife Lorraine, all from Dumbarton, died in the December 22 incident.

Primary school teacher Stephenie Tait, 29, and tax worker Jacqueline Morton, 51, both from Glasgow, and Gillian Ewing, 52, from Edinburgh, also died. 

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