Elderly driver 'so sorry' for crash that killed toddler

A 91-year-old driver who struck and killed a child with her car in Edinburgh said she was "so, so sorry", a fatal accident inquiry (FAI) has heard.

Three-year-old Xander Irvine died when the Kia driven by Edith Duncan veered off Morningside Road in June 2020 and hit him and his mother Victoria before smashing into a charity shop.

Mrs Duncan, who died in May 2021, was charged with causing death by dangerous driving and driving without insurance.

The inquiry at Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard pre-recorded evidence from Mrs Duncan who said she felt she was a "good driver" and "familiar" with the area.

Xander’s parents were in court for the third day of the inquiry.

They briefly left the room while Mrs Duncan’s police interview from July 2020 was being played.

Mrs Duncan said she was confident in her driving abilities, having previously taken long driving trips to the north coast of Scotland on holiday and was familiar with the area where she was driving.

Questioned about the day of the accident, she said she recalled it taking place in the morning before being told by police it happened in the afternoon.

Returning to her car from shopping and meeting with friends, Mrs Duncan said she saw a "clear bit of road" and tried to carry out a U-turn.

She said while she saw pedestrians on the pavement, she did not see Xander or his mother walking outside the St Columba's Hospice Charity shop.

Police said CCTV footage appeared to show Mrs Duncan had not applied the brakes as the brake lights had not come on.

Mrs Duncan said her “foot must have slipped on the accelerator”.

The inquiry heard that Mrs Duncan initially did not realise the severity of the accident.

Xander died in the Royal Hospital for Sick Children from "multiple injuries".

Witnesses to the aftermath of the crash had described Mrs Duncan as “detached” and “pretty emotionless”.

Mrs Duncan had the car, a red Kia Picanto, for about eight years and only drove locally - describing the vehicle as "like a shopping trolley".

She told police she believed the car was insured, however this had lapsed three months before the crash.

The inquiry previously heard that she had cancelled her the insurance to save money as she felt she did not use her car enough.

Mrs Duncan had also renewed her driving licence earlier in the year. Drivers over the age of 70 must apply for a new licence every three years.

Mrs Duncan had been seen by a dementia specialist after the crash who said the she may have had undiagnosed frontotemporal dementia.

However, she died before it was confirmed.

The hearing before Sheriff Nigel Ross continues.