Published: Thursday, 4th February, 2010 9:53am

Men struck by van as they went to aid of OAP

Comments (7) | Print | Email

By Jennifer Black

TRAGIC: The accident happened on this busy stretch of road

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.