REFUSE collecting teams in Glasgow have been subjected to abuse following the bin lorry tragedy which claimed the lives of six people in the city centre.
The city council has confirmed it is aware of at least one instance of crews being abused, with union sources claiming members of the public have shouted "murderers" at cleansing staff.
It emerged yesterday that the identities of the driver and passenger of the bin lorry which crashed with tragic consequences nine days ago were being kept from the public in part for their own protection.
Meanwhile, a teenage victim of the George Square crash has been released from hospital.
The 18-year-old woman was allowed to leave Glasgow Royal Infirmary eight days after being knocked down in the crash.
Three people, including the driver, a 14-year-old girl and a woman are still being treated in hospital. Two females, the girl and a woman aged 64, are all being cared for at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.
One senior trade union source said: "The main incident happened with late night crews in the city centre. It appears to be people leaving parties who have shouted at the crews.
"There have been reports of other incidents in outlying areas but no-one wants to make it into a big issue in case it prompts copycats."
A council spokesman said the authority was also aware of reports of crews being abused, with a further source claiming there had been "isolated incidents".
A council source said: "The guys out on the collections are fragile enough as things are."
Despite a lock down on information while the Police Scotland investigation is ongoing, The Herald understands the vehicle had passed an MOT just a couple of months before the crash.
It is also understood the driver, 57, would have been subjected to health checks by his employer, the city council, since turning 55 and had been on a regular route.
One source has also claimed the vehicle was not equipped with what is being described as a "dead man switch" but added that this would only have applied to the crushing mechanisms at the rear of the vehicle if installed.
Three members of the same family were among six of those killed in the crash, in which the lorry careered around 300 yards through the city centre three days before Christmas.
Jack Sweeney, 68, his 69-year-old wife Lorraine and their 18-year-old granddaughter Erin McQuade fell victim to the crash.
Gillian Ewing, 52, Stephenie Tait, 29, and 51-year-old Jacqueline Morton also died. A further ten people were taken to hospital after the crash.
A statement from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: "Three patients remain in two hospitals in Glasgow following last Monday's tragic incident in George Square.
"Two patients remain in Glasgow Royal Infirmary. A 14-year-old girl and a 64-year-old female both remain stable.
"A 57-year-old man is being treated at the Western Infirmary and is also in a stable condition."
Meanwhile, it is unlikely any of the memorial to the victims of the crash which has materialised in Royal Exchange Square is likely to be removed until after the funerals.
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