Probe into shaft tragedy reopens

Fresh evidence will be heard today into the case of mother-of-two Alison Hume, who died after falling into a mineshaft in Ayrshire.

A sheriff has agreed to re-open the fatal accident inquiry into the death of the 44-year-old lawyer in Galston in July 2008.

Previous testimony revealed that firefighters were prevented from going down a 50ft hole by senior officers on "health and safety" grounds.

New witnesses include Alan Jeffreys, who read media reports of the case and then alerted Sheriff Desmond Leslie that his Scottish Cave Rescue Organisation was never asked to help.

The new hearing at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court is expected to last until Wednesday.