Bus driver with history of blackouts avoids prosecution

David Logue, 47, was involved in crashes in 1998 and 2008 due to him blacking out at the wheel of his bus.

A third incident in 2012 saw Mr Logue’s bus veer out of control and kill fellow First Bus driver Jim Lochrie, 62.

The fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into the incident will resume today at Glasgow Sheriff Court before Sheriff Kenneth Mitchell.

The Crown Office said lawyers have already concluded there is “no evidence to suggest that the driver’s conduct at the time amounted to a breach of the criminal law”.

However, the decision has compounded criticism of the Crown Office following the decision not to prosecute Harry Clarke, the bin lorry driver whose vehicle killed six pedestrians when he passed out at the wheel.

The investigation has sparked calls to create a statutory obligation for bus and bin lorry operators to hand drivers’ employment records to new employers.

Ralph Roberts, managing director of McGill’s Buses, told The Herald he had written to Scottish government transport minister Derek Mackay to lobby for a legislative change.

He said: “If a driver was legally bound to allow their personnel file to be given from their previous employer to their new employer, there would be much greater quality control of who is put behind the wheel of a large vehicle.”

George Mair, director of CPT Scotland, said findings from both FAIs would likely “stimulate discussion” in the industry.

A spokesperson for First Glasgow said the operator would “examine any conclusions and recommendations carefully”.