A man has been cleared of causing his son’s death in a “freak” cycling accident in the Highlands.
An emotional Andrew Tetsill told Inverness Sheriff Court yesterday that he “cradled” his son Craig while he and others desperately tried to save the 21-year-old’s life.
The young man was dragged under the wheels of his father’s truck as they headed back to their digs after working near Wester Aberchalder, east of Loch Ness, on May 16, 2013.
Despite efforts to give him CPR, Craig Tetsill died at the scene of the accident.
His 42-year-old dad, of 27 Fairlie Drive, Camelon, Falkirk, was accused of causing his death by careless driving on an unclassified road leading to Wester Aberchalder.
He denied the charge and was found not guilty after a trial.
Giving evidence yesterday, he said he was driving downhill in first gear as he approached his son, who was 10ft in front of him.
He said Craig entered a bellmouth at the side of the road and was moving slowly while balancing on his pedals.
Mr Tetsill said he checked his mirrors, moved to the right and went into second gear to pass.
He said he heard a bang against the tailgate of his Ford pick-up and saw his son’s flailing arms in the mirror.
He said: “I walked round the side of the van and Craig was in an upright position with the bike tangled in his legs.
“I ran over to him and sat down and cradled him into me and at that point I realised there was something seriously wrong.
“At that point he was not breathing, and I tried to give him mouth-to-mouth and I got him breathing again and he was sitting up.
“I lowered him on to his side because I did not want him to choke and was telling him that he would be ok. But he stopped breathing and I lowered him down and started giving him mouth-to-mouth again.”
A police accident collision expert had previously blamed Mr Tetsill for driving too close to his son.
However yesterday, former police collision investigator Jack McBirnie said that evidence was flawed, and that Craig likely lost control of his bike as he moved into the bellmouth.
Mr McBirnie added that Craig may have “wobbled” towards the truck and become snagged on it.
He said: “There is normally a reason for these accidents but in this particular case a freak accident is the term to use.”
Sheriff Margaret Neilson said: “Having heard all of the evidence in this case over a number of days, and evidence regarding to the quality of evidence, particularly from the police, I have concluded the Crown have not proved this case beyond reasonable doubt.”