Glasgow bin lorry driver: I blacked out 'like a light switch' before crash

Video report by ITV News' Debi Edward

The driver of the bin lorry that crashed and killed six people in Glasgow has described the moments leading up to the crash last December.

Harry Clarke, 58, slumped at the wheel of the truck as he drove through the city centre, causing it to veer out of control.

The driver said the next thing he remembered was "being attached to the hotel" - the Millennium Hotel in George Square where the truck came to rest.

He said: "I think I remember (bin man) Matt shouting 'Harry, wake up'. It was as if he was a mile in the distance.

"I came to and I didn't know what had happened to me, I couldn't understand it.

"Wee Henry (another bin man), he was in tears apparently, which you can understand."

ITV News Scotland Correspondent Debi Edward was at the fatal accident inquiry as Mr Clarke gave evidence and said he was feeling "brand new" on the day of the crash.

His testimony came after a motion from his lawyer to have the inquiry halted which was refused by the sheriff hearing the case.

During earlier evidence, Mr Clarke was asked questions about his medical history which he refused to answer.

Earlier this week, the family of Jacqueline Morton, one of the victims, announced they are seeking a private prosecution.

• [**Read: Mixed reaction to private prosecution bid**](http://Read: Mixed reaction to private prosecution bid)

Sheriff John Beckett QC told Mr Clarke that he did not have to answer any questions that might incriminate him.

Mr Clarke did respond to some questions put to him by Solicitor General Lesley Thomson, the QC leading the inquiry, but he refused to answer almost all of the questions she asked him in the early stages of his evidence.

"I don't want to answer that," Mr Clarke replied in response to questions put to him on topics such as his employment, medical and family history.

When the questions moved to the bin lorry crash, Ms Thomson said: "Do you know that six people died on December 22?"

"I don't want to answer that question", Mr Clarke replied.

"Do you know that family have been in court everyday?" asked Ms Thomson.

"No, I don't know that," Mr Clarke said.

The former driver, was later asked by the Solicitor General: "Do you understand that by choosing not to answer you are putting yourself first?"

"I wouldn't agree with that", Mr Clarke replied.

Some relatives of the victims, who were visibly upset, left the courtroom as Mr Clarke spoke

Previously, the inquiry has heard that Mr Clarke has a history of dizzy spells and fainting which he failed to disclose to the DVLA and on job application forms.

This also included a blackout at the wheel of a stationary bus when he was a driver with First Bus in April 2010.

Mr Clarke said he did not remember being spoken to by his depot manager about his sickness rate but did recall being off work for a spell.

When shown a sick pay form, Mr Clarke said: "April 2010 I was off sick, that was the time with First Bus."

He said he thought he had been off "more than a couple of weeks" but did not answer when asked why.

Ms Thomson said: "Written there is vaso vagal, do you know what that is?"

He said:"I know now what it is." Probed further, he added "light-headed".

Asked if it was his signature on the sick pay form, he said: "I don't want to answer that, but it does look like it."

The witness was also asked to look at his medical records dating back to June 1976 which listed periods of dizziness and ill-health.

After an interjection by his lawyer, Mr Clarke was reminded again by the sheriff that he does not have to give any answers that could incriminate him.

Mr Clarke then said: "I don't wish to answer any more questions."

He was also questioned about an incident on April 7, 2010 when he is said to have blacked out at the wheel of a bus in Glasgow.

The former driver was shown a report by a First Bus inspector detailing an episode and asked: "Do you recollect an incident where paramedics came to see you after a medical incident on a bus?"

He said he did not want to answer and was shown a doctor's report dated April 8.

Asked if he was off work that month because a Dr Lyons said he was fit to return only for non-driving duties, he said "no comment".

Erin McQuade, 18, and her grandparents Jack Sweeney, 68, and Lorraine Sweeney, 69, from Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire, Stephenie Tait, 29, and Jacqueline Morton, 51, both from Glasgow, and Gillian Ewing, 52, from Edinburgh, were all killed as the lorry travelled out of control towards George Square

Mr Clarke has been told he will not face a criminal prosecution over the crash.

The inquiry continues.