Former RAF firefighter from Moray given driving ban after causing three-car crash near Nairn

A retired RAF firefighter's loss of concentration ended in a three-vehicle crash, which left a woman wheelchair bound and unlikely to walk again.

Inverness Sheriff Court was told that 80-year-old Gordon Thomson of Thornhill Road, Forres, did not realise that his BMW had hit a red Toyota Yaris as it slowed down in front of him.

The court heard that Thomson’s car pushed the other vehicle into the opposite lane and into the path of a Toyota Hilux pickup truck towing a trailer, which then detached and hit Thomson's car.

The crash happened on December 15, 2023, at the junction of the B9101 with the A96 in Auldearn.

Thomson, who is a full-time carer for his ailing wife, admitted to causing serious injury by careless driving and was fined £1575.

He was also banned from driving for 18 months and ordered to resit an extended driving test.

Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald told him: "It is alarming to me that you were not aware of what was happening, and you are still not aware of what happened.

“What is clear is you did not react to the traffic in front of you and caused significant injury to others."

Defence counsel Cat MacQueen said her client was intending to surrender his driving licence, which was clean after a 63-year career driving tractors, fire appliances, and cars.

She said there was no suggestion of excessive speed and all Thomson could remember before the collision was "two bumps."

"He did not see any brake lights or indicators on the Yaris." Ms MacQueen said.

She added that the expert assessment concluded that he hit the Yaris, which explains the two bumps.

"It remains unclear what the red Yaris was doing. He must accept he had a momentary loss of concentration and he is deeply regretful." Ms MacQueen concluded.

At an earlier hearing, fiscal depute Emily Hood told Sheriff Macdonald: "The Yaris was projected onto the opposing carriageway and collided with a Hilux and trailer. The trailer detached and hit the BMW."

Ms Hood said the most seriously injured was a rear-seat passenger in the Yaris.

"Lesley Thomson had to be extracted from her vehicle,” the fiscal depute said.

“She suffered multiple fractures to her ribs, spine, sternum and a perforated bowel.

“She now requires a wheelchair and is unlikely to walk again.

“She has a full-time carer, struggles to write and to talk due to an injury to her left lung."

Two other people also suffered fractures as a result of the collision.

Ms Hood said that the accused Thomson broke down in tears when he heard the consequences of the crash from police.