Men struck by van as they went to aid of OAP

Published 4 Feb 2010 09:53 7 Comments

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TRAGIC: The accident happened on this busy stretch of road

By Jennifer Black

A GOOD Samaritan was tragically killed and another is fighting for his life as they tried to save a pensioner after a car crash on Sunday night.

Thomas Rarity, 47, and a 39-year-old man, who has not been named, disregarded their own safety to try and overturn the 71-year-old woman's car, after she was involved in an accident on the A737 between Linwood and Paisley at 8.20pm.

The woman was driving her Volkswagen Polo eastbound, towards Paisley, when she was involved in a crash with a Seat Leon, which was being driven by a 25 -year-old woman.

As a result of the crash the Polo ploughed through the central reservation and ended up on its side on the westbound carriageway.

Mr Rarity was driving his Volkswagen Sharan and the younger driver was in his BMW three series, when they witnessed the crash.

Both stopped and without thinking of their own safety, crossed the central reservation to help rescue the woman.

However as they were trying to overturn her car, a Vauxhall Combo van, being driven by a 48-year-old man, crashed into them.

By the time the emergency services arrived Mr Rarity could not be saved and he died at the scene.

The 39 year old man was taken to the Southern General Hospital, in Glasgow, where he is being treated for head and leg injuries.

He is said to be in a critical condition.

The driver of the Volkswagen Polo was taken to the RAH, in Paisley, where she is stable and being treated for a shoulder injury.

The van driver was also taken to the RAH to be checked out by medics.

The Seat Leon driver was uninjured but badly shaken by the accident.

Inspector Paul Reilly, from Strathclyde Police, said: "The two men were assisting the elderly injured woman, when they were stuck by the van on the carriageway.

"Unfortunately this tragic incident also shows how dangerous busy roads can be, and I would urge anyone who witnesses a road crash on a busy road not to walk along the carriageways, but contact the emergency services."

As a result of the crash both sides of the A737 was closed and diversions were put in place. The road remained shut for most of the night and reopened at 4am after the crash was cleared. Anyone who witnessed the crash is being asked to urgently contact Sergeant Jane Taylor on 01389 822017.

A report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.

This article appeared in The Gazette 04 Feb 10

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Duncan
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Feb 9, 11:22
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I dont understand how the driver of the van couldnt see the accident and slow down? He was obviously going far too fast and on that strech of road I cant see how he couldnt see a major accident infront of him? Such a tradgey that poor mans family.

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Rose Malcolm
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Feb 9, 11:23
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Its touching to know that strangers will still go out of their way to help others. Its just awful that their kindness was met with such stupidity by the van driver - I agree with Duncan - he was obviously going too fast.

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Lucy Alexander
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Feb 9, 11:24
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my heart goes out to the family and friends of this brave man who risked his life to help this woman. these roads are so dangerous and unpredictable with cars going at such speeds.

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Andrew L
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Feb 9, 11:26
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it just goes to show these people who speed on roads, its a matter of life or death. you have to always look out for hazards including pedestrains especially at the scene of a crash! my thoughts are with the fmaily of this man who was tragically killed.

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SREID
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Feb 9, 11:30
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What those men did was very heroic - its terrible that one of them died at the scene and then the news last night that the other one died from his injuries. Im not sure I would have been so brave.

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Gazette reader
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Feb 9, 11:33
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It goes to show you never know what is round the corner when a man dies trying to help somebody in need. His family should be very proud of his efforts, my thoughts are with them.

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resident
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Mar 6, 14:47
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i am on full view of that road an lot of drivers dont care how fast they gornseem some do over 100 miles which is very wrong

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