Top far north cop highlights toll on 999 crews in dealing with fatal crashes

A SENIOR far north policeman has reflected on the harrowing personal toll taken on officers who have to deal with the aftermath of road accidents, especially those involving young casualties.

Speaking at a road safety promotion at Thurso High School, Chief Inspector Matthew Reiss revealed that counselling is offered to police and other members of the emergency services to help them cope with the traumatic scenes they have witnessed.

Caithness officers have had to deal with an a disproportionate number of fatalities in recent years, with Caithness accounting for nearly half the death toll on Highland roads last year.

With three deaths so far this year, the rate has mercifully reduced.

Mr Reiss said that dealing with a road fatality is one of the worst parts of the job spec for 999 personnel and that the impact of any death always has a profound effect on his officers.

Living in a small isolated community, he said the chances of them knowing who is inside the vehicle can intensify the situation.

“With Caithness being a small place, there is always the risk that it may be someone that our officers or members of the fire service or ambulance service may know,” he said.

“After each road death, police officers and members of other emergency services are offered counselling if they so wish.

“The best way that we tend to deal with it is to talk it over with our colleagues and maybe with our families, as it not an easy situation to deal with.

“But when the situation arises, you just have to do your best to help the people and the families of those who have been the victims of road accidents, but also remember to carry out our legal duties.

“The force’s motto is to protect and serve, and sometimes you have to do that in very extreme circumstances.”

The latest fatality on Caithness roads was Brent Larnach (28), from Clyth, who was killed when his bike collided with a van on the A99 Wick to Latheron Road, a mile south of Thrumster on April 28.

Christopher Durrand (17), from Wick, died when he crashed his car at Hastigrow Bridge, near Bower in February and Stewart Milnes (26), from Reay, was killed in January at Scrabster Braes, near Thurso.

Last year, seven people were killed on roads in Caithness, which accounted for almost half of all road deaths in the Highlands.

Mr Reiss said Northern Constabulary is committed to promoting the potential dangers of driving to young motorists.

The force yesterday held its annual Driving Awareness event at Thurso High School when officers met with pupils to highlight the road safety message.

Also present were representatives from other emergency services, the Red Cross and mechanics from local garages. The programme involves secondary school pupils in Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross.

Inspector Reiss said police are committed to promoting road safety.

“The aim of these events is to teach students from an early age to enjoy a car but be aware of all the obligations,” he said.

“If we can get this message across to future motorists then it will be a case of job done from our point of view.”

Last year, Claire Mackenzie (30), from Wick, whose brother Scott Mackenzie was killed in a motor vehicle accident in December 2008, was involved in a campaign to introduce a probationer plates system which would force new drivers to display P-plates for the first few months after they passed their test.

The scheme is in force in Northern Ireland and Mrs Mackenzie said that she, along with the rest of her family, are pushing for it to be introduced in Scotland.

“We are still trying to push through the legislation as we’ve seen what it has done in Northern Ireland where it has seen a positive step forward in road safety,” she said.

“Hopefully we can use their example and experiences as a way of introducing it over here.

“A car can be as lethal as a gun or knife and unfortunately my family have been on the receiving end of it.

“These plates would make other drivers aware that there are alongside a new driver, as well as instill some responsibility in the motorist who has just passed their test.”

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