A tipper truck driver has been accused of killing a council roads worker by reversing into him.
William Black, who was also known as Billy, died on January 26, 2016 after being hit by a truck while working to repair flood damage on the B9005 Methlick to Fyvie road.
Christopher Penfold is accused of causing the 56-year-old’s death by driving carelessly.
It is alleged he reversed the truck without keeping a look-out near the Gight junction and as result hit Mr Black and drove over him.
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The 59-year-old denies the charge, and will go on trial at Banff Sheriff Court later this year.
Penfold, of Belfatton, Lonmay, near Fraserburgh, was not at yesterday’s hearing but the court heard the case is set for a three-day trial in the summer.
Mr Black was working to repair the road damaged by Storm Frank, which destroyed roads and homes across Aberdeenshire, when he died.
The Ythan was among the rivers to burst its banks, washing away land leading up to the B9005. One farmer described there being a “foot drop” from the edge of the road as a result of the storms.
Mr Black, was described as a well-known and popular man within the Turriff community.
Aberdeenshire Council’s roads boss, Philip McKay, described his death as a “great shock” to his colleagues at the roads depot, where he worked for five years.
Chief executive Jim Savege said his death had caused “great sadness.”
