A van driver's uncontrollable sneezing fit saw him end up in a crash that sent two women to hospital.
Alexander Harkness, 29, drove his Peugeot van at speed into vehicles on Edinburgh’s City Bypass in the road accident on June 4, 2021, reports the Daily Record.
He told police the rush hour collision came after a bout of sneezing was brought on by his hayfever.
Describing the run-up to the crash at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Wednesday (August 3), fiscal depute Gillian Koren Ms Koren said a Hyundai SUV was being driven westbound by Maxine Alexander, with passenger Jacqueline Hardy also in the car.
Another Hyundai car was being driven behind it by Jordan Brazendale, the court heard, which Harkness followed in his work van.
Ms Koren said Maxine and Jordan became aware of slow moving traffic ahead and slowed to 15mph.
But when Jordan looked in his rear-view mirror, Ms Koren said he saw the van “driving towards him at high speed”.
The court heard Jordan didn’t have ”time to take evasive action and braced for impact” while there was “no evidence” of emergency braking by Harkness.
His van then struck the Hyundai car, forcing it to mount the central reservation and leave the carriageway. Harkness’ Peugeot then hit Maxine’s SUV, and it “violently jolted forward by the impact”.
The SUV occupants were taken to Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, with Maxine suffering some bruising and a trapped nerve while Jacqueline was found to have muscular pain.
Harkness was also taken to the same hospital for assessment, while Jordan escaped uninjured. All three vehicles suffered significant damage in the collision, Ms Koren added.
Defence agent Ruairidh Mulheron said his client was a “lucky man” as none of those involved were “severely injured or killed”.
Mr Mulheron said Harkness was a gas engineer and was in his company van when he suffered a “prolonged sneezing fit”.
He added: “Mr Harkness knows he should’ve taken action or slowed down”, adding that Harkness got out of his van to “check on everyone else about him” following the crash.
Mr Mulheron said Harkness would lose his job if he was disqualified from driving.
Harkness admitted driving without due care and consideration. Sheriff Matthew Auchincloss imposed nine penalty points on Harkness’ licence and fined him £1875.
