Inquiry into postman’s death adjourned 30/4/14
A fatal accident inquiry into the death of a Benbecula postman who was killed by his own mail van has been postponed until a full examination of the vehicle is carried out.
Ronnie Morrison of Hacklett, Benbecula, died at the scene in Ford Terrace in Creagorry, Benbecula, on 28 March last year.
He had apparently been sorting out mail at the rear of the vehicle when it rolled back over him.
A fatal accident inquiry began yesterday at Lochmaddy Sheriff Court.
However, it was adjourned within minutes after solicitor Gordon Seaton, representing Mr Morrison’s family, said there was a delay in getting the mail van fully examined.
Solicitor Gordon Seaton, representing Mr Morrison’s family, stressed to the sheriff: “There is a question mark why the vehicle moved back.”
An expert engineer commissioned by the lawyer on behalf of the Morrison family “raised issues as to the extensiveness” of the police examination of the mail van, he highlighted.
He said the engineer provided “a report of what the examination should have been.”
Lawyer, John Barrie, acting on behalf of the Royal Mail, raised no objections to an adjournment.
Sheriff Andrew Miller stated the issue is a “matter of potentially great significance.”
He said it was preferred, “on balance, all relevant investigations be completed so the inquiry can begin and run its course in one sitting.”
The inquiry was adjourned to 24 June.