Haulage firm Munro & Sons (Highland) Ltd has had its license withdrawn by the Traffic Commissioner following an accident which led to a woman's death.

Christina Fraser, 24, was killed when a 30-tonne digger rolled off a transport lorry and hit a car she was traveling as a passenger in on the A9 between Tain and Alness in July 2006.

The firm who have had 28 prohibitions issued against them on the grounds of safety breaches since 2005 admitted a breach of health and safety law.

A public inquiry held in March heard safety defects led to Ms Fraser's death in addition to problems with brakes, oil leaks and loose wheel nuts.


Traffic commissioner Joan Aitken disqualified former director Pamela Munro for two years. Driver Kenneth Finlayson has been disqualified for 12 months. He was involved in an accident on the A9 in 2008 and his name appeared in a number of prohibitions.

Munro & Sons (Highland) Ltd have also appeared at inquiries in 1997, 2004 and 2005.

In her written decision, Ms Aitken said: "There can be no more victims. Clearly, my orders will have significant impacts on the business including perhaps job losses and that steps will have to be taken to adjust the operation of the wider business."

The traffic commissioner added: "Disqualified operators often seek to re-emerge in other corporate form.

"I warn other operators and persons to be very wary of providing a front for continued operation by Messrs Munro."

Customers of the haulage firm such as the Highland Council and Inverness College have been informed of the action taken.

In January Appeal judges increased last April's fine of £3,750 to £30,000 to highlight the consequences of the fatal accident.

The Court of Criminal Appeal found lorry driver Walter MacLennan was not to be blamed but the fault lay with individuals higher up in the company.

(GK/JM)