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Lorry driver in Lonmay house smash denies speeding

The lorry that overturned at Cortes.
The lorry that overturned at Cortes.

A lorry driver whose articulated truck ploughed into a north-east couple’s living room is battling allegations that he was speeding.

Michael Henderson escaped with only a few scratches after his 40-tonne vehicle overturned and smashed into the home of Alex and Doris Smith in Lonmay.

The accident happened at a sharp bend on the A90 Fraserburgh-Peterhead road last summer. Images of the spectacular smash went viral around the world.

Yesterday, 54-year-old Henderson, from Grangemouth, appeared at Peterhead Sheriff Court in connection with incident. It is alleged that he was driving without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for others on June 3, last year.

He is accused of driving at excessive speeds, resulting in a failure to negotiate a bend, causing the vehicle to leave the carriageway and collide with the Smiths’ home, causing damage.

Defence agent Stuart Flowerdew confirmed that Henderson, whose address was listed as 1 Tweed Street, continued to deny the charge.

But progress on the case has been hampered by delays in gathering all evidence together, the court heard. There were also problems securing legal funding.

Another court hearing was set for June 17, ahead of a trial later this month.

Mr and Mrs Smith, who were at home at the time of the crash, are expected to be called as witnesses if the case goes to trial.

Speaking after the accident, Mr Smith, 68, said he had been in the kitchen when the lorry struck. His wife was in the living room doing cross-stitching and watching TV.

He said they both felt lucky to have escaped unharmed. It is thought the collision caused about £20,000 worth of damage to the Smiths’ property, which is still boarded up.

A runaway cement mixer hit the same house about 30 years ago.

The crash sparked fresh calls for a review of safety on the busy commuter route.

In September, a two-car collision near the same spot claimed the life of a 42-year-old Fraserburgh motorist.

At the end of last year, Lonmay residents met transport chiefs to discuss the options which included electronic chevron barriers.