Glasgow bin lorry deaths: Driver 'has no memory of crash'

The driver of a council bin lorry which careered out of control in Glasgow city centre, killing six people, has said he has no memory of the crash.

Harry Clarke, 58, told the Daily Record newspaper that he understood bereaved families and those who were injured wanted answers.

But he said he had been unconscious, and could not remember anything.

He said he had no heart problems before the crash on 22 December and his health had not improved much since then.

The lorry went out of control on Queen Street and crashed in George Square.

In a statement published by the newspaper, Mr Clarke said: "I want to be able to reach out to the injured and families of those who died on December 22.

Fragile health

"I can't really think how to express myself. I just want all the families and the public to know that I appreciate all the support they have given me through the newspapers and also the cards people have sent me.

"I've felt awful not speaking out before now but I was in hospital and my health hasn't really improved much at all."

Mr Clarke said he was not speaking out now to get sympathy for himself.

"I don't want that, but I don't want the families to think I have been hiding, I haven't. I am just anxious that I don't upset anyone.

"Now I feel I need to make a statement to ensure everyone knows I grieve for everyone involved in the accident.

"I understand a lot of people want to know what happened that day. I wish I could tell you but I can't. I had never had anything wrong with my heart until that day."

Mr Clarke said he was aware that speaking out without being able to explain why the crash happened would not help the families of those who died.

But he said: "I just want all the families of injured or deceased victims 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 other people telling me what they saw. Every day is a struggle."

Mr Clarke said he had worked all his life and "just lived a normal life".

(Clockwise from top left) Jack Sweeney, Lorraine Sweeney, Erin McQuade, Jacqueline Morton, Stephenie Tait and Gillian Ewing were killed in the crash

"Nothing will ever be normal for me or any of the families ever again," he said.

"I think of everyone every minute of every day."

The Glasgow City Council bin lorry driver said he and his daughter appreciated that the media had not hounded him.

He added: "And while I am speaking out today, it is for all those affected and not about me.

"We all just want to grieve in private and hopefully everyone's privacy can be maintained."

The six people who died in the crash were teacher Stephenie Tait, 29, from Glasgow; student Erin McQuade, 18, and her grandparents Lorraine, 69, and Jack Sweeney, 68, from Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire; tax worker Jacqueline Morton, 51, from Glasgow; and 52-year-old Gillian Ewing, from Edinburgh.

The 10 people injured in the crash have since been discharged from hospital.

Police investigating the crash have submitted their initial report to prosecutors.

The Crown Office said it would issue an update by the end of February on timescales for any criminal proceedings or a fatal accident inquiry.