Gravestone could have been knocked over by a "strong gust of wind" - Stonemason tells FAI
A stonemason’s told a fatal accident inquiry that the headstone that fell and killed an eight-year-boy in a Glasgow cemetery could have been knocked over by a "strong gust of wind".
A stonemason’s told a fatal accident inquiry that the headstone that fell and killed an eight-year-boy in a Glasgow cemetery could have been knocked over by a "strong gust of wind".
Schoolboy Ciaran Williamson was playing with friends in Craigton Cemetery when a stone fell on him on May 26, 2015.
The site and headstone was later analysed and reported on by expert stonemason Peter Hayman after the incident.
He said in report that the stone would have required "very little force" to tip it and in evidence said "even a strong gust of wind" could do it.
But under-cross examination he admitted that he did not mean it was "so perilously balanced" that wind could knock it over.
He was giving evidence for a second day at an inquiry at Glasgow Sheriff Court, in to Ciaran's death.
The inquiry is to establish if there were any reasonable precautions that could have prevented the tragedy.
And, to establish if there were any defects in the system of work which caused or contributed to Ciaran’s death.
Mr Hayman's report noted that the headstone would have required "very little force to tip the balance".
He said a nearby tree's roots forced the memorial to lean forward but concluded "if left without any remedial action it would have eventually failed at some point".
Mr Hayman said the angle of lean on the stone was between eight and eight and a half degrees.
Dorothy Bain QC - representing Ciaran's mum Stephanie Griffin - asked Mr Hayman if he had visited before the incident what risk he thought the stone would present.
The witness said that if it was leaning at the angle it was recorded at it "would be a definite hazard and danger".
He told the hearing that he would still assess the particular stone as a potential danger if the angle of lean was around six degrees.
Miss Bain asked what he meant by "very little force" and he said "Perhaps even a strong gust of wind."
He added: "Ground heave, frost and thaw actions."
She asked: “If you had been asked to inspect the Ross memorial before the failure, would you have passed it as safe?” Mr Hayman said “No.”
Miss Bain asked: “What would you have done?” He replied: “I would have immediately fenced it off.”
Mr Hayman said he was disappointed with the condition of some of the headstones at Craigton Cemetery.
It was heard the witness contacted the council to suggest an inspection and maintenance programme.
Under cross-examination by Mark Stewart QC, representing Glasgow City Council put to the witness that he did not mean it was “so perilously balanced a gust of wind would knock it over" and he said he did not.
Mr Hayman said that if the lean was to increase on that type of memorial, it would not take much to move it.
The inquiry before Sheriff Linda Ruxton continues.