Family of Scots nursery teacher killed by lorry left 'heartbroken' by tragedy

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The devastated family of a Scottish nursery teacher who was killed by a lorry have told a fatal accident inquiry of their heartbreak over her tragic death.

Chloe Morrison, 26, died after being struck by the extended outrigger leg of a lorry being driven by John O’Donnell as she was walking along a footpath next to the A82 road at Kerrowdown, near to Drumnadrochit on October 25, 2019.

Despite having been found guilty by a jury of causing Chloe’s death by careless driving after a six-day trial, O'Donnell was spared jail. The 53-year-old, from Inverurie, was sentenced to just 100 hours of unpaid work and banned from driving for 12 months.

Chloe's heartbroken dad Robert Morrison said the sentence felt like Chloe “had been killed all over again”. Screaming out in court, Robert said: “No, no, no” at the top of his voice, and “I’m so sorry, Chloe.”

In a victim impact statement read to the inquiry, which is being held in Inverness, Robert, Chloe's mum Karen and sister Jodi said they could write a millions words but they would not be enough to encapsulate the impact her death has had on their family, reports the BBC.

Jodie spoke of her parents heartache. She said: "No parent should ever have to suffer the pain of losing a child, and certainly should not witness it in such horrific and avoidable circumstance.

"As Chloe's sister, it breaks my heart seeing the pain so evident in my parents. I know that nothing I can ever do will heal them."

The family thanked family, friends and their local community for the support they had received. Lorry driver O'Donnell was one of three witnesses to give evidence at the inquiry.

During his trial at the High Court in Inverness, a jury heard that O’Donnell had caused the death of “beautiful and ­sensitive” Chloe when she was struck by a steel beam sticking out from his lorry.

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O’Donnell was driving through Drumnadrochit, on the western shore of Loch Ness, when he failed to notice a fully extended stabiliser leg protruding from his vehicle, which had a crane attached.

It struck Chloe, who was walking along the pavement with her mother, in the back. Chloe was propelled 115ft and died after suffering multiple fractures. Judge Lord Stuart said the crime “did not warrant a custodial sentence”.

The inquiry adjourned to resume next month before Sheriff Ian Cruickshank delivers his determination at a later date.

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