Death of nursery teacher killed by lorry in Drumnadrochit to be examined at inquiry

A date has been set for an inquiry into the death of a nursery teacher who was struck by a steel beam sticking out from the side of a lorry.

Chloe Morrison was struck in the back and swept to her death while walking along a footpath next to the A82 road at Kerrowdown, near to Drumnadrochit, with her mother in October 2019.

The 26-year-old, who was from the village, was propelled 115ft and died from multiple fractures.

Trucker John O’Donnell was sentenced to 100 hours of unpaid work and banned from driving for 12 months following a six-day trial at the High Court in Inverness where he was found guilty of causing death by careless driving.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has now lodged a notice to begin the court process for a Fatal Accident Inquiry into the death.

A preliminary hearing is set for April 18, 2024 at Inverness Sheriff Court.      

The purpose of a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) includes determining the cause of death; the circumstances in which the deaths occurred, and to establish what, if any, reasonable precautions could have been taken, and could be implemented in the future, to minimise the risk of future deaths in similar circumstances.

The inquiry will explore the circumstances of Chloe’s death, with particular focus on the working arrangements within Glenevin Ltd. regarding the use of lorry mounted cranes by drivers who were not qualified so to do; the use of the outrigger legs by the Scania lorry between the time when it left Glenevin Ltd.’s premises at Old Meldrum, near Aberdeen and the accident leading to Chloe’s death.

The inquiry will also consider wider industry practice in respect of the use of vehicles like the Scania lorry by unqualified drivers, the regulatory framework around the requirement for the retrofitting of ‘stabiliser not stowed’ warning systems, and the number of vehicles without such warning systems on the roads at the present time.

Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on death investigations for COPFS, said:  “The tragic death of Chloe Morrison occurred in circumstances giving rise to significant public concern and as such a discretionary Fatal Accident Inquiry will be held.    

“The lodging of the First Notice enables FAI proceedings to commence under the direction of the Sheriff.   

“Chloe’s family will continue to be kept informed of significant developments as court proceedings progress.”    