Elderly driver ‘so sorry’ for crash that killed toddler

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”.