Lorry driver pleads guilty to killing French cyclist after running her over in Glasgow

A lorry driver killed a French cyclist after running her over at a set of traffic lights.

Paul Mowat, 69, struck Emma Burke Newman, 22, in Glasgow city centre on January 27 2023.

Mowat turned at the lights and hit Emma who had been on the lane to his left and moved off seconds after him.

Emma was then dragged under the vehicle for approximately 53 metres.

Despite being conscious and breathing at the scene, Emma died from her injuries at hospital around 90 minutes later.

Mowat - who claimed he was unable to see Emma - was later found to have had his view obstructed by a reversing camera, dirty mirrors and windscreen.

Mowat pled guilty today at Glasgow Sheriff Court to causing Emma's death by careless driving.

The court heard that Emma was born in France to American parents who moved there in 1994.

Emma moved from the town of Moulineaux to study art sciences in London and worked for an architecture firm.

She moved to Scotland in September 2022 to study architecture at Glasgow School of Art.

READ MORE: Family and friends of woman killed in Glasgow cycle accident call for change.

Emma was described as a "keen cyclist, swimmer and enjoyed skiing."

After her death, Emma's parents Rose Marie Burke and John Newman called on the Scottish government for greater protection for cyclists.

Both parents have backed Pedal on Parliament “no backpedalling” campaign, which aims to create safer roads for cyclists.

Today's hearing was broadcast online to Emma's family in France and the USA who were unable to attend.

Mowat's lorry stopped across a line at the lights designed at a safe zone for cyclists at 10am.

CCTV played to court showed Emma stopped her bike in front of Mowat's lorry having come from the cycle lane to his left.

A double decker bus which also encroached the cycle space line was positioned on the lane to Mowat's right.

Prosecutor Susan Campbell said: "The lights changed to green and Mowat and the bus moved forward.

"Emma took around one to two seconds longer to move off and looked towards the lorry as she did so.

"During this time, the lorry was moving forward until the near side bumper and the rear wheel of the bike were in close proximity.

"As Mowat turned left towards the Broomielaw, his near side bumper connected with the offside pannier rack of the bike.

READ MORE: Glasgow architects campaigning to make the city's junctions safer.

"This caused her to be dismounted to the front offside of the lorry.

"Emma was dragged under the offside of the lorry at the first and second axles as the lorry continued for approximately 53 metres."

Members of the public made Mowat aware of the collision and went to Emma's aid.

Mowat was stated to have said: "I didn't see her."

A paramedic noted that Emma was breathing when he arrived four minutes later but she was unconscious.

Specialised medics attended the scene before Emma was taken to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

Miss Campbell said: "Despite efforts of medical personnel, tragically her injuries were unsavable and she was pronounced dead at 11.25am."

A post-mortem examination was carried out which revealed extensive injuries to Emma's abdomen, pelvis and both legs.

Her cause of death was determined to be "multiple injuries due to road traffic collision."

A collision investigation was carried out as well as a re-enactment of the incident by police.

The nearside proximity mirror surface was found to be dirty which would have given Mowat an obstructed view.

His view was also deemed to be obstructed by the windscreen in the areas not covered by the wiper.

The collision investigators stated that Emma put her self in a "vulnerable position" due to her close proximity to the lorry.

It was claimed that Emma had other options to negotiate the junction safely.

Miss Campbell added: "It was determined that Mowat failed to react to her presence on the front nearside of the lane as he moved off from a stop as he turned into the Broomielaw.

"Mowat failed to make sure that the close proximity mirrors were clean and had an obstructed view due to these mirrors.

"It was his responsibility to do this at a walk round before driving.

"The reversing camera screen was in such a position that it obstructed his view of Emma.

"If he checked his blind spot behind the screen, he would have been able to see Emma."

Kris Kane, defending, told the court: "Mr Mowat has asked me to convey his deep found condolences to her family members who are present."

It was revealed that Mowat, of the city's Govanhill, has a clean driving record.

Sentence was deferred pending background reports until next month by Sheriff Matthew Jackson KC.

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