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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Nicola Findlay

Housing association confirms some tenants return home after lorry crash incident

Some of the residents evacuated from their homes after a lorry struck a row of terraces in East Kilbride have returned to their properties.

Two houses in a row of five had to be razed to the ground - the home directly hit by the HGV and an adjoining property.

Lanarkshire Live described how emergency services raced to Lancaster Crescent, in the Nerston area of the town, in the late-night incident on September 6.

Eyewitnesses spoke of how those in the property hit, which belonged to a Sara Cassidy - had a miracle escape.

Bulldozers starting to rip down the second home (Stuart Vance/ReachPlc)

One onlooker said at the time: "We heard the almighty noise and my oldest son said there was a truck which had gone into one of the houses opposite.

"Before you knew it there were ambulances, fire and police everywhere. It didn’t seem real.”

A dad, who lived next door, and whose home also had to be demolished told us he was "stunned" and "numb" following the terrifying incident.

"“We are devastated, we have lost our home and most of our stuff. I was meant to start a new job, which I couldn't do. The more I think about it the worse I feel, he said.

Tenants of two of the five terraced properties have now returned home, as have residents of two adjacent properties who were evacuated as a precaution while demolition work was ongoing.

Clyde Valley Housing Association, who own the properties, say they have been deemed "fit for habitation".

A spokesman added: "The customers from 5, 7 and 9 all spent time in temporary accommodation and have now moved to or are in the process of moving to Clyde Valley homes where they will live until the rebuilding work is completed."

They described the incident as a "hugely distressing incident for all local people" and that the "safety and welfare of our customers is our number one priority".

A 33-year-old man has been charged in connection with the incident.

Derek Wellington, from Kilmarnock, faces trial on five charges including culpable and reckless conduct to danger of life and assault to danger of life.

A charge of dangerous driving under the Road Traffic Act, breach of a bail condition and a charge under the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 s38(1) racial prejudice were also listed.

He made no plea, has been fully committed and remanded in custody.

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