First discretionary fatal accident inquiry into Covid-19 death announced

The first discretionary fatal accident inquiry into the death of someone with Covid-19 has been launched in a “milestone” moment, the Crown Office has announced.

The Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) has been announced as part of the Procurator Fiscal’s ongoing investigation into Covid-19 related deaths.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has undertaken to investigate more than 6,000 such related deaths in its role as Scotland’s independent prosecution service and death investigation authority.

COPFS has lodged a first notice to begin an FAI into the death of of Aberdeen man Donald Singer, 66.

Mr Singer, a crane operator working offshore on the Ninian Southern Platform off Shetland, was airlifted from the platform by a Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopter on April 3 2020 after his Covid symptoms worsened.

He died on May 4 that year at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

A discretionary FAI is ordered when the Lord Advocate concludes that a death raises serious public concern and that an inquiry is in the public interest.

So far two mandatory FAIs have been completed into the deaths of four men with Covid-19 who were in legal custody, while a further five are ongoing into the deaths of eight men.

Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on fatalities investigations for COPFS, said: “Thousands of families lost loved ones during the pandemic, and we undertook the single most significant and challenging investigation of deaths in Scottish history.

“We remain committed to thorough, professional and independent investigations into every reported death, providing bereaved families with answers and supporting public understanding of the pandemic’s impact.

“As the first discretionary FAI, this is a milestone as we work to establish a better understanding of these deaths and inform decisions made in the future.”

A preliminary hearing will be held on December 12 2025 at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.