The driver of a bin lorry that crashed in Glasgow city centre, killing six people, has been suspended after it was alleged that he failed to disclose pre-existing medical conditions to his employers.
A fatal accident inquiry taking place into the crash in December last year has heard that Harry Clarke had a history of health issues, including fainting, dizziness and stress dating back to the 1970s, which he did not disclose to Glasgow city council during his recruitment.
Clarke secured his job as a bin lorry driver two months after he blacked out at the wheel of a stationary bus in April 2010. He crashed the bin lorry in Glasgow’s George Square on 22 December last year after apparently suffering another blackout.
The inquiry, held at Glasgow sheriff court, heard that Clarke was “on his last legs” at First Bus following repeated sick days prior to his blackout in April 2010.
Paramedics examined him on the bus and he refused to accompany them to hospital, instead returning to the depot where he informed his managers about the blackout.
He then visited Baillieston health centre and told a GP, Dr Gerard McKaig, that he fainted “at work, in canteen, hot environment, no warning signs”.
Later, he visited a second GP, Dr John Langan, and repeated his claim that he fainted in the work canteen but added that he had felt lightheaded beforehand.
Clarke was signed off as fit for work by a third GP, Dr Christine Walker, who noted in his record: “Dr Langan has dictated a letter saying fit to drive as had warning signs and reasons for attack.”
But First Bus medical officer Dr Kenneth Lyons wrote in a separate letter that the incident happened on “a stationary bus” and that Clarke “had no particular warning of the event although he was aware of feeling warm”.
DVLA guidelines indicate that people who have suffered a blackout with no external cause or warning signs, and who were sitting or lying at the time, should be referred for further examinations before being permitted to drive again.
Six people were killed when the bin lorry drove on to the pavement on Queen Street before crashing into the Millennium hotel. They included Erin McQuade, 18, her grandparents Jack Sweeney, 68, and Lorraine Sweeney, 69, Stephenie Tait, 29, Jacqueline Morton, 51, and Gillian Ewing, 52.
Medical records that were read out at the inquiry documented around 30 instances starting in June 1976 when Clarke had seen a doctor due to issues including dizziness, vertigo, anxiety and nervousness.
Glasgow city council confirmed Harry Clarke had been suspended “on a precautionary basis” ahead of a full investigation.
A spokesman for the council said: “The council can confirm that it has suspended Harry Clarke on a precautionary basis pending a full disciplinary investigation.
“A number of allegations have been made during the enquiry in regard to Mr Clarke’s conduct before and at the point where he commenced employment with the council.
“These allegations have yet to be put to Clarke and he has not yet had the opportunity of responding to them. The internal investigation will therefore take place at the conclusion of the fatal accident inquiry.”
