Woman crushed in minibus horror
AN ELDERLY woman has died after being run over and crushed by a runaway minibus.
Margaret Jack was hit by the vehicle in the car park of Greencross Care Home in Cambuslang, Lanarkshire, where she lived.
The tragic 71-year-old was returning from a trip to an indoor bowling centre with pals when the bus hit and badly injured her.
The driver of the minibus was helping another resident into the home when he saw his vehicle running down a slope in the car park.
It’s not known if ice played a part in the accident – but the area was suffering from the same sub-zero temperatures which have affected Scotland and the north of England for almost a week.
It’s understood another elderly member of the group dashed forward to apply the footbrake – but the vehicle ran over the driver and crushed Mrs Jack.
Emergency services were called and both were taken to Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride.
The driver is not understood to have been seriously injured but Mrs Jack required life- support treatment. She died from her injuries on Friday afternoon following a four-day battle for life.
Police Scotland last night confirmed a probe involving their officers and the Care Inspectorate is under way into the shock incident.
A spokesman for the home added staff have been left traumatised by the “tragic accident”.
“The staff are devastated,” she said. “Margaret was a very friendly and popular lady who had been with us for many years.
“We have spoken with her family and given them an account of the circumstances.”
A spokesperson for the Care Inspectorate said their thoughts are with all affected following the distressing incident. “We have been kept fully informed by the service and have been supporting them at this difficult time,” the spokesman went on.
“Our first priority is always the safety and well- being of service users.
“We have been in close contact with the service to ensure that residents’ needs continue to be met, their rights respected and that they are supported at this difficult time.
“This matter will be fully investigated by Police Scotland and we will support that investigation.
“Everyone in Scotland has the right to safe, compassionate care which meets their needs and respects their rights.”
Green cross, one of a number of homes run by Thistle Healthcare, is home to around 66 elderly residents. The Care Inspectorate visited the facility last year and produced a report in August 2014.
No complaints had been upheld or partially upheld since its previous visit.
A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said they were alerted to the tragedy at 3.25pm on Monday.
She said: “We were called to a report of a road traffic collision outside Greencross Care Home in Tabernacle Street, Cambuslang. Our inquiries are continuing.”