Road Worker Assaulted by Driver While Clearing A82 After Storm Amy

A road worker was assaulted and pushed into a ditch by a driver while he was clearing trees from the A82 in the aftermath of Storm Amy. The incident occurred in the Glen Goy area, approximately 1.5 miles north of Spean Bridge. Fortunately, the worker was not injured, but the police have condemned the attack as “outrageous” and “dangerous.”

According to officers, the assault took place while the worker was operating a chainsaw. The driver approached him in a grey Renault van, likely a Trafic model, which had a left-hand drive and a foreign number plate that included the numbers 7532. The suspect is described as white, in his mid-40s to 50s, standing about 5 feet 9 inches tall, with a medium build and grey facial hair. Witnesses noted that he wore a blue beanie hat, a black waterproof jacket from Rab, and blue jeans. It is believed that he spoke with a French or Italian accent.

Police Response and Community Appeal

Inspector Katy Duncan of Police Scotland stated, “Fortunately the victim was not seriously injured; however, the fact he was attacked whilst operating a chainsaw is outrageous and so dangerous. The worker was doing his job in challenging weather conditions to ensure the road network was reopened, and it is completely unacceptable that he was subjected to this behaviour.”

Authorities are urging anyone who was in the area during the incident to review their dashcam footage for any recordings of the vehicle involved. Information can be reported to the police by calling 101 and quoting incident number 1541 of October 4, 2023. Individuals can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111, or use the contact form available on Police Scotland’s website.

The incident highlights the risks faced by workers in hazardous conditions, especially following severe weather events like Storm Amy. Local authorities are committed to ensuring the safety of all personnel working to restore essential services during such challenging times.