STUC calls for urgent review of Fatal Accident Inquiries after North Sea tragedy findings

March 13th 2014

STUC calls for urgent review of Fatal Accident Inquiries after North Sea tragedy findings

March 13th 2014

Following the publication of the findings from the Fatal Accident Inquiry into the deaths of 16 men in the Miller Helicopter tragedy in the North Sea on 1st April 2009 the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) has again called on the Scottish Government to review the Fatal Accident Inquiry system.

Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary said

“It is vitally important that lessons are learned at the earliest opportunity following tragedies where lives are lost and any recommendations put in place to avoid further needless loss of life.

“The efforts of Sheriff Derek Pyle to bring forward the recommendations timeously to avoid further unnecessary suffering for the loved ones of those who lost their lives are very welcome. However, we have to remember it has taken three weeks short of five years to get to this stage, an unacceptably long time for those who have lost most.

“We are now calling on the Scottish Government to support proposals from Patricia Ferguson MSP for her Inquiries into Deaths (Scotland) Bill and act quickly to ensure no other families are let down by our inefficient Fatal Accident Inquiry system.

“The STUC will continue to support offshore trade unions and our lawyers to campaign for a safer offshore industry, for any necessary inquiry to address safety issues in the North Sea and for justice for families left behind following preventable accidents”.

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For further information contact Ian Tasker 0141 337 8100