An investigation has revealed that a Montrose mechanic was killed when he started the engine under his vehicle and was then dragged across the road.
Darius Zamylko (44), was at his garage in Angus when the incident occurred in April 2021.
Six days later, he died at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee from hypoxic brain injury, traumatic asphyxia, and six more days later.
Sheriff Jillian Martin Brown, who conducted a fatal accident investigation, concluded that Mr Zamylko's tragic death was due to an accident.
Sheriff offered several suggestions that may have saved the mechanic's life, such as only starting the engine while sitting in the driver seat with legs inside the vehicle.
Sheriff said that brakes should also be applied, and wheels should be kept on the ground and properly chocked.
Christopher Lyons and Peter Morton, witnesses to the inquiry, said they were driving separately on Ferry Road in Montrose at the time when they noticed a van moving slowly across the road before coming upon a mini-bus from Ford Transit.
My Lyons raised his horn to alert him, but as he got closer, he saw that no one was in the driver's seat.
Mr Zamylko was dragged along the road by the vehicle.
Scottish Fire and Rescue officers raised the van using air bags to reach the man.
Although an air ambulance was summoned, it was believed that Mr Zamylko might go into cardiac arrest if he was taken by air to the hospital.
Sheriff Martin Brown stated in her written ruling that "This was a tragic incident, caused by the deceased starting a van engine while lying underneath it, causing it to move forward and dragging him beneath."
"The deceased was a self-employed individual and was legally obligated to run his garage business in a manner that would not expose him to any risks to his safety or health."
