A Fatal Accident Inquiry has found that the death of a young Ross-Shire woman could have been prevented. Christina Fraser was killed in the road traffic accident when a 30-tonne digger came loose from the back of a transporter lorry on the A9 near Invergordon and fell onto the car she was a passenger in, crushing her. She died as a result of her injuries. The accident happened nearly four years ago in July 2006.

Sheriff David Sutherland ruled that haulage firm Munro & Sons (Highland) Limited had failed to take adequate steps to prevent the accident. The digger had a defective brake and chains used to secure it to the transporter were not strong enough. He said that 'reasonable precautions' could have prevented the tragedy, but these had not been taken.

Sheriff Sutherland has also recommended more stringent rules to be put in place for the transportation of heavy goods and specialist training for heavy goods drivers. Munro & Sons (Highland) had no system in place for checking the safety of heavy loads.

Munro & Sons (Highland) were fined £3750 in April 2008 after admitting breaching health and safety regulations, but this fine was subsequently increased to £30,000 last year on appeal.

Sheriff Sutherland praised the dignity shown by Christina's parents during the Fatal Accident Inquiry.

Thompsons Solicitors have years of experience in assisting the families’ of fatal accident victims.  We understand the first and most important thing that a family need and demand is answers!  Without answers as to what happened and why it happened they cannot move on with their lives, they need to know that no other family will be touched as they have been by the loss of a loved one.

Contact our specialist lawyers today on 0800 0891 331 and we will help you obtain the answers to your questions.  Our No Win No Fee policy means that we take care of the financial burden of legal action at an already stressful time for clients.