§ Mr. HainTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the circumstances surrounding the death of Mrs. Donna Bromham in Nairn on 19 July 1992; and what alterations have been made to the Scottish road safety vehicle which hit her.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 4 March 1993]: Mrs. Donna Bromham dies tragically from injuries sustained when she was struck by a loose flap of a road safety display vehicle. The accident happened on 19 July 1992 in the town of Nairn. Mrs. Bromham was on the footpath when the accident occurred. The police reported the matter to the procurator fiscal at Inverness who, after consultation with Crown counsel, took criminal proceedings against the driver on charges of careless driving and use of a vehicle in a dangerous condition. The driver went 364W to trial at Inverness sheriff court and was found not guilty on the first charge but was convicted on the second. He was fined £100 and had his licence endorsed with three penalty points.
The vehicle was held for inspection by Northern Constabulary and released to Highland regional council on 3 August 1992, since when it has not been in use. It will not be permitted on the roads until modifications have been carried out by the regional council, and inspected by the police. The modifications will provide additional security and allow for visual confirmation that the flap is in a safe condition for transportation.