A lorry driver who ran over a mechanic working underneath his vehicle told a court he knew instantly he was dead.
Mark Elder, 40, drove over Ian Bratchie, 50, who was crushed to death by the rear wheels of his HGV which had a flatbed trailer and crane.
He said he “felt a bump” when the tragedy occurred at the Lochgelly premises of Robert Purvis Plant Hire on September 3, 2015.
When he heard someone sound a horn at him he noticed Mr Bratchie in his mirror.
CCTV footage showed Mr Elder get out of his cab with his hands over his face.
Robert Purvis Plant Hire is accused of two breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act, 1972, causing injury to Mr Bratchie which resulted in his death.
Asked during a trial at Dunfermline Sheriff Court if it was obvious Mr Bratchie was dead when he saw him, Mr Elder replied “yes”.
He said he had worked with the grandfather, from Lochgelly, for three and a half years before the accident and described him as a “great guy “.
Mr Elder’s HGV was due to be repaired at the firm’s workshop at Cartmore Industrial Estate but as there was no space he left it in a tipper lorry parking area 60-70 ft away.
When he returned to the yard later that afternoon his lorry was blocking the way for returning tipper lorries.
Advocate Susan Duff said to Mr Elder: “Presented with that scenario, seeing your vehicle where you left it, you went to move your vehicle and didn’t do the walk round check you would have done in an ordinary situation.”
Mr Elder replied: “Yes.”
The court heard mechanics were instructed to use signs and steering wheel covers if necessary to indicate that a vehicle was being worked upon and should not be moved, but Mr Elder said none were in use this time.
Robert Purvis Plant Hire is accused of failing to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees, in particular Mr Bratchie, between April 2 2012 and September 4 2015.
It is accused of failing to carry out a sufficient risk assessment for the control of vehicles under maintenance at the premises, failing to supervise the allocation of vehicle maintenance work to employees and failing to ensure work was carried out in the vehicle workshop or designated areas.
It is also accused to failing to provide and manage an effective key control system, including the use of caution signs and steering wheel covers, and failing to provide information, instruction, training and supervision in these measures.
Workshop manager Cameron Bell told the trial before Sheriff Christopher Shead he took safety very seriously and said workers were well aware of measures in place.
“If they didn’t have a good attitude to safety they wouldn’t be working there,” he said.
The trial before a jury continues.
