News.Scotland.Org

Scotland, Jan 4: Alan Morton the fire engine driver who bump into a car while responding to an emergency call was asked to pay over £3,000 as compensation. The 38 year old fire fighter while on his way to his destination was caught behind a queue of traffic at the signal and the court realised that he drove the vehicle towards a busy junction and smashed into Aisling Bateman’s car as it blocked his path.

The investigation later revealed that the fire fighters were not responding to an emergency call but they were following another crew. The 24 years old Ms Bateman filed a civil action against the fire engine driver to claim the damage incurred by her as she didn’t get any indication about the approaching of fire engine. She also insisted that the sound of the siren was only heard seconds before the hit. She was left with no chioce to get rid of the accident as the fire engine approached too fast.

While in a written verdict Sheriff Elizabeth Jarvie ruled that the fire fighter Morton should be held responsible for his careless driving. Morton was then working with Singhtill Fire Station in Edinburgh was ordered to pay the sum of £3,176 to Ms Bateman as compensation. The incident took place on December 28, 2005.

Earlier during the hearing Morton failed to prove that the siren and lights of the engine was on before the time of the crash. Finally Sheriff Jarvie ruled that it is the carelessness of Morton and the breach of his duty paved way for this crash.

Meanwhile a Fire Brigade Union Scotland’s spokesman said that: “The fire engine drivers can use the red lights as a route clearance sign during the time of emergency. The problem is that if it is green light instead of red light while on official duty then the responsibility is left with the fire fighter.”

January, 4

Scotland wore a thick blanket of snow yesterday with huge snowfall hitting almost all part of the country. Due to such a heavy snowfall commuters were put to difficulties with transportation been paralysed and many cases of accidents reported in past 24 hours. In one of such untoward accident a car slipped off the road and fell 30ft down into an embankment. Apart from this many more such cases of accidents were reported in different places. The weather department officials have informed that about eight inches of snowfall has been experienced till now.

It has made the temperature to drop with snow shower freezing temperature around Scotland. Many people were facing tough times to travel due to snow and poor visibility. Many fatal accidents were also reported in different places around Scotland. Reports suggested that about four people were injured in three such collisions which involve one police vehicle too.

There are reports for more snowfall in next 24 hours and met department officials have predicted up to 12 inch of snow in Scotland. The areas which were worst affected by snowfall include Grampian, the Borders, the Highlands, Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian, Fife, West Lothian. And with prediction of more snowfall it seems the situation would become more adverse.

The climatic change may have increased the trouble for people but on the other hand it has come as a blessing in disguise for the Scotland ski centres. This snowfall has made them happy and provided a wide scope for all snow activities.

This first snowfall of the year seems to have captured a mixed reaction among Scottish people, but whatever the case may be, cold waves are blowing around this hot destination.