Ewan death inspires accident inquiry law

Published on 20/12/2012 12:00

A NEW law partly inspired by the case of tragic Edinburgh firefighter Ewan Williamson has been proposed in a bid to strengthen the role of fatal accident inquiries.

The Bill, promoted by Labour MSP Patricia Ferguson, would clarify the circumstances in which FAIs should be held and increase the power of the judge to ensure lessons are learned by recalling people to court after six months to check recommendations are being followed.

Ewan, 35, died in the Balmoral Bar on July 12, 2009, as 20 people, including a baby, were rescued from the flats above.

Lothians Labour MSP Sarah Boyack said: “Three-and-a-half years after Ewan Williamson’s death, his family are still fighting to get the truth about what happened. But they have been failed by a system which is not working.

“The FAI process must be more transparent to give families a real say in proceedings.”

“While these proposals may come too late to help the Williamsons, I will be supporting them to ensure that families and workers affected by fatal accidents can rely on the system to react quickly and 
sensitively to their needs.”