Technician was killed 11 days into new job by collapsed suspension

Dundee-based vehicle technician Gary Campbell was killed in a work incident just 11 days into his new job, Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court has been told.

Campbell, a former British Army mechanic, was crushed beneath a vehicle after he was called out to work on its failed suspension.

Paramedics called to the scene at Orchardbank, Forfar, were unable to save him.

Sheriff Elizabeth McFarlane offered her condolences to his family.

She concluded that Campbell had not taken appropriate safety precautions before working beneath the vehicle and this contributed to his death.

The fatal accident investigation found that Campbell headed out from the Scania sales and servicing centre at Dundee, which he had joined 11 days earlier from a Keltruck Scania site in Nottingham.

His task was to examine a stricken oil tanker at delivery firm Oilfast near Forfar.

The Scania truck had a burst airbag in an axle suspension unit.

Campbell inflated the remaining suspension units to create space to work beneath the vehicle, and was working between a tyre and axle wing when another suspension airbag burst and he was crushed.

An Oilfast director called emergency services and colleagues tried to help Campbell. He was subsequently declared deceased at the scene by paramedics, STV News reported.

In her ruling, McFarlane wrote: “It appears from all the evidence presented to the inquiry that Mr Campbell was suitably qualified and trained to carry out the task that he was sent to do.

“This was a routine task.

"He was well aware from his training that there were procedures to follow and a safe system of work to carry out the task.

“It is my opinion from all the evidence presented that Mr Campbell did not follow his training and took an unnecessary risk, which had tragic consequences."