"The driver of the Glasgow bin lorry that crashed and killed six people has said he was unconscious and cannot remember what happened.

Speaking to the media for the first time, he told the Daily Record the victims were on his mind "every minute of every day".

But the 58-year-old said his memory is a blank and he cannot remember the time leading up to the tragedy.

"I understand a lot of people want to know what happened that day. I wish I could tell you but I can't," he told the Daily Record."

"Mr XXX was diagnosed with a heart condition after the crash and has been undergoing hospital tests, but said he previously had no idea he was in poor health.

He also said he regretted not speaking out before.

"I don't want the families to think I have been hiding," he told the Daily Record.

"I am anxious that I don't upset anyone but I feel I need to speak out today."

The former bus driver, who has received thousands of messages of support from the public, added: "Nothing will ever be normal for the families or me ever again."
http://news.sky.com/story/1421824/gl...breaks-silence


Poor man

Accepting fully that he was not responsible and in all probabilty he will not be charged with anything, his name being in the public domain seems a VERY small price to pay for the deaths of 6 people.

An accident through no fault of his own, going by the article, so no reason to have his name out there I feel.

Why should he have to pay a "price" at all, if he was not responsible?

http://news.sky.com/story/1426655/gl...-avert-tragedy

Inquiry into this now underway, finds driver had previously blacked out before at a bus stop in 2010, while driving a bus.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotlan...-west-33636146

Oh dear

I heard this on the news last night and the driver has no knowledge at all of what happened. I'm not surprised at that but am shocked that he has suffered a blackout previously whilst driving a bus.

So what will come under very serious examination and questioning is why and how he was able to retain his PSV and HGV licences. Whilst someone with a medical history of 'blackouts' or epilepsy can hold a car driving licence (as long as they have been 'fit free' for a year or more), as far as PSV/HGV goes it's not even possible to hold one.

Somebody has some very serious questions to answer.

Wonder if he declared these blackouts to his employers?

ETA: Bit confused here - he had blackouts in 2010 yet claimed " he previously had no idea he was in poor health "..surely he must had them checked out by someone?

Doubtful but he should have done to the DVLA who would have revoked his licences......permanently in the case of PSV and HGV, the latter which he must have held in order to drive a bin wagon. Also whoever employed him as a bus driver, that would be down on his medical record.

With the Council, driving a bin lorry, he would need a medical the same as every new employee so quite why/how his previous medical history got overlooked is a matter now for the Inquiry.

Excuse my ignorance here - how rigorous are PSV / HGV medical checks?

Posts crossing here. So either he didn't declare or the council ignored and/or didn't fully check

Putting it bluntly you simply cannot hold either a PSV or HGV if you have a history of epilepsy. There is no provision for it. You may well have been 'fit free' for 20 or 30 years.....but you won't get your hands on a PSV/HGV licence. Even a race licence (to drive) will be refused by the MSA though you can get a co-driver licence.

A car driving licence doesn't have the same restrictions.

Thanks for that.

I suspect he may not have declared to the DVLA.....but that then brings into question how did he manage to get a job with the Council driving a bin truck? The medical history would be down on his records from the Bus company.

Someone will be facing extremely serious charges here.

That is so so sad

Going through the detail with regards to the previous incident whilst working as a bus driver, this bit doesn't bode too well;


The last paragraph i find simply staggering. Whilst "loss of consciousness" doesn't necessarily mean a person has epilepsy, they should inform the DVLA and the First Bus doctor should have recommended he did so. By not doing, the doctor has left himself open to question.
https://www.gov.uk/blackouts-and-driving

He was checked out by the paramedics and given the all clear. Maybe just a virus/low blood sugar/BP or something, as something is mentioned about him being unwell in the canteen that day. Who knows.
It doesn't appear to have been an epileptic seizure but the rules applying to PSV/HGV drivers, the time limits etc. Up to ten years ban, in the worst case scenario, are in Chapter 1, page 14. Page 15 for loss of conciousness.


https://www.gov.uk/government/upload...5071/aagv1.pdf



From the BBC article. Clearly the First Bus Doctor didn't think it was anything serious.

Where are you getting epilepsy from? It says he suffered a blackout, that could have been for any number of reasons, some extremely minor, maybe just a simple faint.

On a personal level if I had blacked out twice in one day I would have toddled off to the GP to see what was what (ie blood test etc) - particularly if I drove for a living, heck just for peace of mind if nothing else.

I've already said 'whilst "loss of consciousness" doesn't necessarily mean a person has epilepsy.' People have dizzy spells, heart attacks etc etc.

Did he see the company Doctor though? The Inspector assumed he would be sent to see him. . Why did he write the letter and surely he couldn't do that without anything to back up his declaration?

But if he didn't know re the canteen incident. perhaps he might have offered different advice if he had been aware?

The Inspector said that. I think you are confusing the Inspector with the Company Doctor, who wasn't in court.

Yeah just realised that, been a long day

The Doctor's testimony should be interesting.

Today Glasgow mourns again. This will get sorted.