Latest news with #FatalAccidentInquiry
Glasgow Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Family of Katie Allan back bid to remove Crown immunity
Ms Allan, 21, and William Brown, 16, both died by suicide in Polmont in 2018, with a Fatal Accident Inquiry finding both deaths were avoidable. It concluded that a breach of the Health & Safety Act "materially contributed" to their deaths, but the prison system is protected from legal action by Crown immunity meaning Polmont or any other prison couldn't be found criminally responsible. The Scottish Government has said it would scrap that immunity, which has previously been removed from the NHS and the police, but would need permission from Westminster to do so. On Wednesday Labour MP Blair McDougall will present a bill calling for Crown immunity to be removed from prison estates. The bill is being backed by Ms Allan's parents, with Mr McDougall their local MP. Linda Allan told the BBC: "We've always said justice for us would be the removal of Crown immunity. There's no meaning in losing a child but it would be a legacy for us. "It means that in death Katie has done something good. That her death hasn't been meaningless. "It means that perhaps her death might save the lives of other people in the future. "If you look for example at the police service, when it lost Crown immunity, safety standards started to increase in terms of cell custody and police stations. "So you would hope the same would happen across the prison estate."
STV News
7 days ago
- STV News
Inquiry to be held into death of landscape gardener hit by tree trunk
An inquiry is to be held into the death of a landscape gardener who died after being struck by a tree trunk. Andrew Pirie was working on June 25, 2020, when he was hit with a two-metre-long section of the tree. A Fatal Accident Inquiry is to be held into the 53-year-old's death as it occurred while he was in the course of his employment. The investigation will look at the circumstances surrounding Mr Pirie's death as well as what precautions could have been taken and could be implemented to prevent future accidents. Unlike criminal proceedings, FAIs are used to establish facts rather than to apportion blame. A preliminary hearing is set for September 3, 2025, at Aberdeen Sheriff Court. Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on death investigations for COPFS, said: 'The death of Andrew Pirie occurred while in the course of his employment and as such a Fatal Accident Inquiry is mandatory. 'The lodging of the First Notice enables FAI proceedings to commence under the direction of the Sheriff. 'Mr Pirie's family will continue to be kept informed of significant developments as court proceedings progress.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
18-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Scots farmer crushed to death by cow while feeding calf in tragic accident
Experienced farmer Fraser Johnston suffered catastrophic injuries when a cow turned on him at his farm in Inverness. A farmer died after suffering fatal injuries when he was crushed by a cow while feeding its calf. Fraser Johnstone, 83, had spent his entire life working Balnuran Farm on Culloden Road, Inverness, where he was born and raised. But on June 3 last year, the experienced stockman was feeding colostrum milk to a calf when the cow suddenly turned on him. A Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) heard the breeding cow pinned the grandfather against a wall before knocking him to the ground and trampling his chest and body. Despite suffering catastrophic injuries, he managed to crawl outside, haul himself onto his quad bike and ride back to the farmhouse. Bleeding from the mouth and clutching his chest, he arrived home around 4pm, where his wife of 51 years, Margaret, rushed to his aid. She told the inquiry that her husband, still able to speak, described how the animal had 'pinned him against the wall, thrown him to the ground and trampled him.' Mrs Johnstone called their son who raised the alarm. Paramedics arrived within 20 minutes and took Mr Johnstone to Raigmore Hospital, where scans revealed multiple rib fractures, a broken sternum and heart damage. However, over the next two days his condition deteriorated and he suffered heart and kidney failure. He remained in intensive care until the early hours of 7 June, when life support was withdrawn. Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald, who oversaw the FAI at Inverness Sheriff Court, said Mr Johnstone had been an experienced cattleman fully aware of the risks of working with breeding cows. She concluded there were no precautions he could have taken to prevent the tragedy. The Health and Safety Executive reviewed the death but chose not to carry out a formal investigation, noting that the dangers posed by protective cows are a well-recognised hazard of farming. In her written determination, issued just after the first anniversary of Mr Johnstone's death, Sheriff Macdonald said: 'This was a tragic accident for which I extend my condolences to Mr Johnstone's family for their loss. I am conscious that this determination is being issued at a painful time for them.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Mr Johnstone had farmed Balnuran all his life, taking over from his father as a young man. Even at 83, he was the sole operator of the holding, still rising early each morning to care for his cattle. He was survived by his wife Greta, two children and nine grandchildren. Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on fatalities investigations at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, said: "We note the Sheriff's Determination. 'The Procurator Fiscal ensured that the full facts and circumstances of Mr Johnstone's death were provided at the mandatory Fatal Accident Inquiry. 'The Determination has been provided to Mr Johnstone's family and our thoughts are with them at this time.'
Glasgow Times
17-07-2025
- Glasgow Times
Probe to begin after man dies at Glasgow's HMP Barlinnie
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has lodged a First Notice to start the process for a Fatal Accident Enquiry (FAI) into the death of Brian Cathcart. The 47-year-old passed away on December 7, 2021, at HMP Barlinnie in Glasgow. READ MORE: Owners left 'heartbroken' after popular Glasgow restaurant raided by thieves During the time of his death, Brian was in legal custody and in the care of the state. Because of this, the COPFS is obligated to investigate such deaths, and the FAI that has been launched is mandatory. A preliminary hearing will be held on August 28, 2025, at Glasgow Sheriff Court. The purpose of an FAI is to establish the cause and circumstances of a death, as well as whether any steps could be taken to prevent future deaths in similar circumstances. READ MORE: Shocking images show building engulfed by flames as fire crews fight blaze Unlike in criminal proceedings, FAIs are inquisitorial rather than adversarial, meaning they seek to determine the facts rather than assign blame. Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on deaths investigations for COPFS, said: 'The Lord Advocate considers that the death of Brian Cathcart occurred whilst he was in legal custody and as such a Fatal Accident Inquiry is mandatory. 'The lodging of the First Notice enables FAI proceedings to commence under the direction of the Sheriff.'
Edinburgh Live
10-07-2025
- Edinburgh Live
Death of Edinburgh prisoner in hospital to be investigated as inquiry set for court
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The death of an Edinburgh prisoner is to be investigated as a Fatal Accidental Inquiry (FAI) is set to begin. Keith Munro, also known as Keith Martin or Keith Jordan, died at the Marie Curie Hospital on November 15, 2022. He was in legal custody and in the 'care of the state' at the time. A preliminary hearing will be held on August 6 at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, with the FAI held on December 4 and 5. Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on fatalities investigations for COPFS, said: "The Lord Advocate considers that the death of Keith Munro occurred while in legal custody and as such a Fatal Accident Inquiry is mandatory. "The lodging of the First Notice enables FAI proceedings to commence under the direction of the Sheriff." Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox The purpose of an FAI is to determine the cause of death, establish the circumstances in which the death occurred, and to determine if any reasonable precautions could have been taken. An FAI is said to be 'inquisitorial in nature', unlike criminal proceedings, and aims to establish facts.
