Tourist accused of killing five in north-east crash to stand trial in October

An Italian man accused of killing five people in a fatal road smash – including his four-year-old son – will stand trial in October this year.

Alfredo Ciociola, 50, is accused of causing the crash on the A96 near Keith on July 26 2018.

Ciociola, from Sicily, is said to have crashed a Fiat minibus into a 4×4 after falling asleep at the wheel.

Fellow Italians Frances Saliba, 63, and four-year-old Lorenzo Ciociola, who were passengers in the minibus died.

Edward Reid, 63, of Macduff, Audrey Appleby, 70, and Evalyn Elrick, 69, both of Aberchirder, who were in the other car also died.

Four others were also hurt in the crash.

The charge further states Ciociola failed to pay proper attention, repeatedly braked and then drove onto the wrong side of the road.

Ciociola pled not guilty today at the High Court in Glasgow to causing the five deaths and serious injury by dangerous driving.

Judge Lord Matthews fixed the trial which will float for seven days at the High Court in Edinburgh.

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