Elgin van driver admits causing biker's death
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A van driver from Elgin has admitted causing death by careless driving after a motorcyclist was killed at Fogwatt.
The daylight collision happened on the A941 road on June 8, 2021, as 56-year-old Gary Lowe drove his Citroen Berlingo van southbound.
Coming in the opposite direction on a Suzuki bike was Paul Fairbairn, a 44-year-old carpenter and father-of-two.
Fiscal depute Niall Macdonald told Inverness Sheriff Court that Lowe, while going right at the junction, turned into the biker's path.
The prosecutor said: "An eye witness saw Mr Fairbairn pass over the van before landing between the verge and the middle of the road.
"He had attempted to stop his motorcycle, using emergency braking. The front collided with the corner of the van, causing Mr Fairbairn to be projected over the handlebars, striking the nearside of the van, windscreen, and passing over the roof."
The prosecutor added that Mr Fairbairn was travelling below the 60mph speed limit, and his position on the road meant he should have been easily seen.
The biker was taken by ambulance to Dr Gray's Hospital, where he underwent life-saving procedures but died a short time afterwards.
Mr Macdonald continued: "The accused approached a police officer at the scene and stated that he did not know what happened, and that he had not seen the motorcycle and he did not know why."
Lowe, whose address was given in court papers as Moss of Barmuckity, admitted causing death by careless driving.
His sentence was deferred until May 19 for a background report.
Mr Fairburn was a member of the Highlanders MCC motorbike club.
In the wake of the accident a statement was issued by the police on behalf of his family, saying that he would be "sorely missed".
They added: "We would like to say thank-you to all the emergency services and staff at Dr Gray's Hospital."
