No court action after scaffolding deaths of two men in Peterhead

No court action will be taken following the deaths of two men after a scaffolding accident in Peterhead, BBC Scotland News has learned.

George Forbes and Alistair Buchan, who were both 77, died following the incident in 2021.

It happened in the Aberdeenshire town’s Merchant Street, near St Peter’s Church.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said it had now been decided there would be no proceedings in the case.

The incident happened on the afternoon of 18 August 2021, and emergency services were called to the scene.

Mr Forbes was pronounced dead at the scene while Mr Buchan was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, but later also died.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated, and reported to the procurator fiscal.

The COPFS said: “After careful consideration of the facts and circumstances of the case, including the available admissible evidence, Crown counsel instructed that there should be no proceedings taken at this time.”

A statement added: “The Crown reserves the right to proceed in the future should further evidence become available.”