Post van’s gearbox to be taken apart for examination 30/4/14
The handbrake mechanism and the gearbox assembly of the Royal Mail van which ran over postman Ronnie Morrison are to be fully examined to determine their condition.
Mr Morrison of Hacklett, Benbecula, died when the vehicle ran backwards over him as he was delivering mail in Ford Terrace, Creagorry, Benbecula, last March.
A fatal accident inquiry opened in Lochmaddy Sheriff Court on Tuesday afternoon and was adjourned after hearing there was a lack of information about the state of the mail van.
Solicitor Gordon Seaton, representing Mr Morrison’s family, told the inquiry the family strongly believe there is a need for the “vehicle to be thoroughly examined.”
Mr Seaton voiced concern over “how brief the police examination has been -
The lawyer said he wanted the both the handbrake mechanism and the gearbox assembly inspected by being dismantled by an expert vehicle engineer.
However, there were difficulties in getting a proper inspection in time for the court, he said.
The first engineer -
A second inspector is not able to carry out the work until later -
Mr Seaton said: “He did provide me with a report of what the examination should have been.
The engineer had “raised issues as to the extensiveness” of the police examination of the vehicle, he highlighted.
Sheriff Andrew Miller stated the issue was 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.”