Crash victim Gillian Ewing's daughter was "mere inches" from the bin lorry which struck and killed her mother, reports Linzi Watson.
Lucy "miraculously" escaped without injury but is still haunted by witnessing her mother being hit.
Gillian, a mum-of-two from Edinburgh, was killed along with five others when the 26-tonne truck careered out of control after driver Harry Clarke lost consciousness.
Alistair Forsyth QC, who is representing the family, read a statement to a Fatal Accident Inquiry into the crash.
He said: "Lucy was mere inches from the lorry as it travelled across the pavement and witnessed her mum being struck down.
"While Lucy miraculously suffered no injuries the sights that she saw that day have had a lasting impact.
"She has been unable to return to complete her fourth year of University studies so far and she can't face areas with large crowds or a lot of noise."
Her family say Gillian, 52, was a "beautiful and kindhearted woman" who is "sorely missed".
The inquiry was told that Gillian was in Glasgow on the day of the crash to try to visit a jeweller with the hope of replacing a ring of sentimental value that had been stolen.
She was heading to Queen Street to get the train home, with her daughter when she was killed.
The mum of two - who split her time between Edinburgh and Cyprus - was looking forward to spending he first Christmas in four years with her family.
Mr Forsyth said, on behalf of her family, the Gillian was the "bubbliest and most vibrant person they had ever known" and was the "life and soul of the party".
She was a "loving mother to Lucy and Robyn, devoted partner to Ali and cherished daughter and sister", the inquiry was told.
Gillian worked in the hotel, festival and events industries before she "fell in love with the island of Cyprus".
In 2009 she moved there and split her time between Cyprus and Edinburgh.
But she was always there then her family needed her as "they were the most important thing to her and she would do anything for them".
Mr Forsyth said Gillian's family, who looked on as he read the statement, have been present throughout the inquiry and have shown "great dignity and courage".
Sheriff John Beckett agreed.
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