Lorry driver died in A74 crash after falling asleep at the wheel

A lorry driver who died after his vehicle overturned on the A74 is likely to have fallen asleep at the wheel, an inquiry has found.

Thomas Hein died after his HGV crashed off the road near Moffat on July 14, 2023.

A Fatal Accident Inquiry heard that there were no precautions which could have avoided the accident.

It was found that the 25-year-old had taken rest periods and not exceeded his permitted time on the journey.

No evidence was found of mechanical failure, driver impairment or of another vehicle being involved.

There was also no evidence that Mr Hein had taken evasive action, such as braking or steering, after his lorry failed to negotiate a slight right-hand bend.

Sheriff Dempsey concluded that Mr Hein is likely to have fallen asleep at the wheel.

The inquiry heard that the German national had been driving as part of a convoy from Hull towards Perth when the accident happened.

Mr Hein and two of his colleagues had travelled from Rotterdam to Hull on an overnight ferry before beginning the journey.

Around 2pm, his vehicle failed to negotiate a slight right-hand bend and left the carriageway to the nearside, travelling over a grass verge onto an embankment and overturning.

Mr Hein’s two colleagues and members of the public rushed to the vehicle but were unable to reach him through the door or the windscreen.

He was pronounced dead by an on-call doctor at 2.30pm.

The inquiry described Mr Hein as a “hard-working and experienced professional driver who was much loved by his family and friends”.