LAWYERS representing victims and families of those who died in the Clutha pub disaster have called on the Crown Office to explain why a fatal accident inquiry into the tragedy is yet to be held.
On the third anniversary of the helicopter crash, Hannah Bennet, a partner with Thompsons Solicitors, said many of those affected by the incident are still awaiting the closure an FAI could give them.
Ten people died when a police Eurocopter EC135 plunged into the roof of the Clutha Vaults pub at 10.22pm on November 29, 2013, as it was returning from routine surveillance.
Despite the release of the official Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) report in October last year, the Scottish Crown Office is yet to announce the date of any court-led inquiry into the disaster.
Ms Bennet urged lawmakers to speed up the process, saying that families deserved answers.
She said: “On the third anniversary of this awful accident a number of our clients are upset and confused as to why no date has yet been announced for the commencement of a Fatal Accident Inquiry.
“For many of the victims and their families, closure on the events of that awful night can only truly begin once a FAI has been concluded. Thompsons Solicitors, have over the years been involved in many FAIs and while we understand this is an extremely complex case we think it is very unfortunate there is still no confirmation on when a FAI is likely to commence.”
The lawyer added: “We are calling on the Crown Office to provide clarity on this issue.”
Pilot Captain David Traill died along with PC Kirsty Nelis and PC Tony Collins when the aircraft plunged into the pub in Glasgow.
Mark O’Prey, along with John McGarrigle, Gary Arthur, Colin Gibson, Robert Jenkins, and Samuel McGhee, who were inside the pub, were killed when the roof caved in, while Joe Cusker, who was also at the venue, died from his injuries in hospital 13 days later.
The final report by the AAIB revealed Captain Traill ignored fuel warnings and continued flying for around 20 minutes before the crash. Switches which control the flow of fuel to the engines were also turned off in the police helicopter, when they should have been on. A spokesman for the Crown Office said: “The AAIB report into the Clutha tragedy, published last year, raised a number of issues which require further investigation by Police Scotland under the direction of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
“This is a challenging and highly complex inquiry. While we understand the process may be frustrating for those affected, it is essential the investigation must be thorough and effective to meet close scrutiny in judicial proceedings. It is not possible to provide a timescale for any proceedings but a Fatal Accident Inquiry will be held as soon as is possible.”
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