A bin lorry driver, Robert Wight, maneuvered into barriers to save his colleagues and the public from harm in the Boxing Day crash. The driver, 54, who is being widely hailed a hero steered into barriers when he had a heart attack while driving. He has now eventually died in a hospital, five days after the crash on the Edinburgh bypass.
Bin lorry driver who put lives of others first after suffering heart attack dies
The driver, 54, who is being widely hailed a hero steered into barriers when he had a heart attack while driving.
One of his grieving colleagues told the Daily Record: “He’s being seen as a bit of a hero, to be honest.
“Everyone’s devastated that Robert hasn’t made it. Even though he must have been in a lot of pain, he had the presence of mind to try to keep his colleagues and other road users safe.”
Robert suffered his heart attack on Boxing Day – four days after the anniversary of the Glasgow bin lorry tragedy.
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But despite being in agony, he stayed alert and fought hard at the wheels to protect his two crew members and other drivers by steering safely into a barrier on the central reservation.
“It must be some comfort to Robert’s family and fellow workers that he was able to avoid other people getting hurt,” continued the sad colleague.
“These lorries are big machines. They can cause a lot of damage if not handled properly, as we’ve seen a few times in Glasgow and other parts of Scotland in recent years.”
The incident brings back chilling memories of the bin lorry crash in Glasgow last December. This recent tragedy happened on Boxing Day, at about 12.45pm on the A720 bypass, near the Lothianburn junction.
The two binmen who were in the truck with Robert tried to help him until paramedics arrived and took him to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
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Robert, of Edinburgh, worked for the city council for 20 years and was popular with his colleagues.
His health was checked twice a year and there were never any worries about his fitness for the job.
A council source said after the crash: “All paperwork relating to this driver was in order.
“There were no concerns about him.”
Edinburgh City Council chief executive Andrew Kerr said Robert was “a long-standing and dedicated employee”who was“well-liked and respected”.
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He added: “We are extremely saddened that our colleague has passed away so tragically. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family, friends and co-workers.
Police said: “We can confirm that the driver of a refuse collection vehicle involved in a collision on Edinburgh City Bypass on Saturday, December 26 has sadly passed away in hospital.
“The 54-year-old succumbed to his injuries at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary in the early hours of Thursday morning.
“His next of kin have been informed, and local officers are continuing to offer them support at this difficult time.”
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