A sheriff yesterday delivered a stinging criticism of the seven-year delay in bringing a helicopter tragedy probe to court.
Four offshore workers died when a Super Puma carrying 18 passengers crashed on approach to Sumburgh, Shetland, on August 23, 2013.
Since then their families, survivors and unions have campaigned for a fatal accident inquiry (FAI) to be held.
At a preliminary hearing in Aberdeen, it was decided that an FAI will go ahead in Inverness in May.
But Sheriff Principal Derek Pyle, who will oversee the probe, said the time delay was like “wading through treacle”.
He said: “Seven years have gone by, far too long in my view but we are stuck with that. In any view, my determination will not be reached until seven years have passed.”
The sheriff principal for Grampian, Highlands and Islands said his sympathy lay with the families of those involved.
He said: “All the dismay and grief that they suffered is going to have to be revisited by them. That is something that is to be deplored. We need to crack on.”
The sheriff said by sounding off he hoped the Crown might “honestly reflect” on how to prevent such delays in future.
Sarah Darnley, 45, from Elgin, Gary McCrossan, 59, from Inverness, Duncan Munro, 46, from Bishop Auckland and George Allison, 57, from Winchester, died in the incident.
The Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma helicopter belonging to CHC Helicopters crashed two miles from the mainland.
