A minibus driver was killed after slamming on the brakes while travelling down the A90, an inquiry has ruled.
The vehicle was stationary for just “half a second” before it was struck from behind by a flatbed lorry.
Social care worker Joyce Gardiner, from Scone – described as a “kind” and “adventurous” colleague – suffered devastating injuries and died at the scene.
A fatal accident inquiry into the January 2019 tragedy has ruled the accident was caused by the sudden slowing and stopping of the minibus, driven by 60-year-old Ms Gardiner.
However, Sheriff Derek Hamilton, who led the inquiry, said the reason for the abrupt halt remained a mystery.
Look of ‘confusion’ before smash
At the time of the accident, Ms Gardiner was employed by Dundee City Council as a support worker for adults with learning disabilities.
She was travelling in the Ford Tourneo with her colleague, front seat passenger Robert Booth, and an adult they cared for, who was sitting in the row behind Ms Gardiner.
The accident happened at around 11.45am, as the group travelled west on the inside lane, near the St Madoes slip road.
Mr Booth told the inquiry he did not notice anything unusual about his colleague’s driving.
In his written findings, Sheriff Hamilton said: “He (Mr Booth) did not observe any dangers or anything unexpected.
“He was aware of the vehicle suddenly slowing and dipping at the front.
“The only thing he observed as this happened was a look of confusion on Ms Gardiner’s face, and he heard her say: ‘Oh.’
“He then felt and heard the collision impact.”
The lorry driver’s evidence
Andrew Kirkpatrick, who was driving the flatbed lorry for Carlisle haulage firm RJ&I Monkhouse Ltd, said he noticed the minibus in front braking heavily.
The sheriff wrote: “Mr Kirkpatrick immediately and forcefully applied his brakes but that did not prevent him colliding with the rear of Ms Gardiner’s vehicle.”
He added: “Mr Kirkpatrick gave various estimates as to how far behind Ms Gardiner’s vehicle he was travelling.
“I was of the view Mr Kirkpatrick was doing his best to assist in this, and his own estimates in fact suggested he might have been driving closer to Ms Gardiner’s vehicle than was recommended or was safe.”
Sheriff’s ruling
The inquiry heard how data showed the minibus brake had been applied for three seconds and it was brought to a standstill for half a second prior to the collision.
Sheriff Hamilton said he was “satisfied that the cause of the accident was the sudden slowing/stopping of Ms Gardiner’s vehicle” which he said was “as a result of Ms Gardiner applying the brakes sharply.”
He added: “It cannot be said why she did so.”
The sheriff said the distance between the two vehicles moments before the collision remained unclear.
“Having considered the data, I am unable to conclude whether or not Mr Kirkpatrick was driving behind Ms Gardiner’s vehicle at a distance that was recommended or was safe.”
Tributes to ‘adventurous’ colleague
Mr Booth was the only person to give evidence who knew Ms Gardiner.
He described her as “kind, caring, enthusiastic” and an easy colleague to speak to.
He added she was a “unique character who was quite adventurous”.
Sheriff Hamilton also paid tribute. “It is clear Ms Gardiner’s death will be a great loss to many,” he said.
“All parties involved in this inquiry offer their sincere condolences to Ms Gardiner’s family, friends and work colleagues.”
The A90, one of the Tayside’s busiest roads, was closed in both directions for several hours after the smash, leading to lengthy tailbacks.
The tragedy prompted calls for a safety review of the route.
