Inquiry to be held into Scots cycling champ's death

An fatal accident inquiry into the death of a top Scots cyclist who was killed two years ago near Fort William is to be held in March.

Jason McIntyre's death at the age of 34 marked the end of a very promising career that included three British time trial titles and 13 Scottish titles. At the time of his death he was training in the hope of inclusion for the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.

On January 15, 2008, he was involved in a collision with a Highland Council truck on the A82 Glasgow-Inverness road near the council depot at Carrs Corner.

The driver, Robert McTaggart was fined £500 and banned from driving for six months after pleading guilty to driving carelessly by pulling across the path of Mr MacIntyre, the father of eight-year-old twins, Chloe and Morgan.

A three-day hearing will start before a sheriff at Fort William on March 1, with a preliminary session on February 5 to determine procedural matters.

According to the Lochaber News Mr McIntyre's widow, Caroline, of Fort William, and other members of the family are also suing Highland Council and Mr McTaggart for £500,000 damages in a Court of Session action.

Robert Milligan QC, representing Mr McTaggart and Highland Council, contends the claim is excessive and wants it heard by a judge sitting alone. Lord Brailsford has ruled the damages action could be decided by a jury.