Plunge inquiry to reopen

A SHERIFF is expected to take the unusual step of re-opening a Fatal Accident Inquiry into the death of Alison Hume, the Ayrshire lawyer who fell down a mineshaft in two years ago.

Sheriff Desmond Leslie has agreed to the rare legal move following newspaper coverage of the original hearing at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court in March.

A retired firefighter, who had seen news reports, approached the local procurator-fiscal with fresh information. The court hearing will be held today.

The procurator-fiscal Nancy Beresford successfully petitioned Sheriff Leslie, claiming that the witness held vital information relating to the case.

Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, whose officers said it was not in their "remit" to perform sub-surface rescues, opposed the inquiry being re-opened.

Alison, 44, from Galston, fell down the disused shaft as she was making her way home across fields late at night.