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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
Connor Gordon

Lorry driver unaware he'd killed biker as the radio was on a 'loud volume'

A lorry driver was unaware he killed a motorcyclist as he was listening to his radio on a loud volume.

Alistair Campbell, 43, struck George Glasgow, 62, on August 29, 2020.

Campbell hit the granddad while changing lanes towards a set of traffic lights in Glasgow's B773 in Nitshill. The deceased's motorbike had been driving alongside Campbell on approach to an amber traffic light.

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The trucker meantime had been listening to the radio at a loud volume. He was unable to hear Mr Glasgow's engine and was unaware of the crash so he continued to drive on.

Mr Glasgow's bike was pushed along the roadway by the lorry while he was pulled under - killing him at the scene. Campbell pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to causing death by careless driving.

The court heard Campbell was behind the wheel of a Scania XT returning to his place of work after making deliveries of crushed stone.

Prosecutor Harry Findlay said: "On examination by the police, the radio operated was set to number 20 on an increasing scale to number 32.

"Officers considered the volume was loud and potentially a limitation for Campbell in appreciating the presence of Mr Glasgow and his motorbike pre- and post-collision."

Campbell approached the two-laned B773 with its junction with Nitshill Road with a roundabout ahead shortly before 10am while travelling at 34 miles per hour.

The traffic lights ahead showed amber which was to change to red. Campbell in lane two did not slow down.

A dogwalker heard Mr Glasgow's engine revving shortly before a "bang."

Mr Findlay said: "As the lorry continued to move towards the junction, it continued to move to the left into lane one.

"The front nearside corner of the lorry made contact with the rear offside of the motorcycle."

The motorcycle rotated clockwise and slid across the road surface.

Mr Findlay added: "The lorry continued to travel eastwards and the motorcycle and the deceased went under the lorry and were carried along by it.

"The motorcycle became lodged under the front of the lorry with the rear panier frame on the motorcycle coming to rest against the front axle of the lorry.

"The lorry continued across the stop line at the junction and the deceased landed on the roadway.

"As the lorry started to turn right onto Nitshill Road, the nearside wheel ran over the deceased."

Campbell later told witnesses at the scene that he "did not see" Mr Glasgow or know where he came from.

He added: "I didn't even know I'd even hit him, that's why I kept driving."

Mercy crews arrived meantime and determined that the injuries sustained were "incompatible with life."

The severe injuries were to the chest and abdomen including crushing injuries as well as fractures to the spine and rib cage.

There was also disruption to internal organs and structures.

Collision investigators established that: "The sound system was set to a high volume and considered to have masked the engine noise of the motorbike as it approached and moved alongside the lorry.

"Campbell failed to give adequate consideration as to the safe performing of a right turn at the roundabout ahead.

"He failed to observe the deceased behind or to his nearside despite the mirrors and other features on the vehicle.

"He failed to allow for the possibility that these observations, even if made, might be inadequate, given the possibility of blind spots. He initiated a manoeuvre involving entry into the nearside lane without knowing it was safe to do so."

Archie Hill, defending, told sentencing: "The incident lasted three seconds and it occurred when it went from a three-lane to a double laned carriageway.

"He has taken the appropriate steps to show remorse by bringing the matter to a conclusion."

Sheriff Daniel Kelly ordered Campbell, of Lanark, South Lanarkshire, to do 150 hours of unpaid work.

He also disqualified him from driving for 18 months.

The sheriff said: "Your consequences were catastrophic and tragic. Mr Glasgow was clearly loved, thought of and missed by his family.

"It was a short lapse of judgement that led to long term tragic consequences.

"There is no sentence which I can impose which will meet the loss his family have suffered."

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