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.”

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