The news comes less than a week after Police Scotland submitted a report of its investigation of the incident to the Crown Office. A ruling is expected this month on whether further investigation is needed.
The crash occurred on a busy shopping street says before Christmas (December 22), and resulted in the deaths of six pedestrians and saw ten others hospitalised (see letsrecycle.com story).
Harry Clarke, the driver of the vehicle, has today (February 5) chosen to make his first public statement following the incident, in an interview with Scotland’s Daily Record newspaper.
During the interview with the newspaper, the 58-year-old driver, revealed that since the crash he has been diagnosed with a heart condition, of which he had no prior knowledge.
Statement
The newspaper reports that Mr Clarke said: “I understand a lot of people want to know what happened that day. I wish I could tell you but I can’t.
“I just want all of the families of the injured and deceased to know I can’t remember anything.
“I wish I could but I was unconscious. I have racked my brain to try to remember but I can’t. I will never know what happened other than people telling me what they saw.
“Nothing will ever be normal for the families or me ever again. I think of everyone every minute of every day.
The newspaper also reports that Mr Clarke had worked for some years as a refuse collection vehicle driver, having previously driven buses in the city. His driver’s licence was subject to regular review, as well as thorough medical examination.
On his decision to comment publicly on the crash, Mr Clarke said: “I’ve felt awful not speaking out before now but I was in hospital and my health hasn’t really improved much at all.
“I am not saying that to get sympathy. I don’t want that but I don’t want the families to think I have been hiding.”
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