By Liz Fowler

A COUPLE who died in a road crash in Angus on Sunday night were yesterday named as John Gibson (69) and his 68-year-old wife Isabella, of Teviot Place, Montrose.

The popular pair were keen Scottish country dancers and it is understood they were on their way home after a ceilidh in Arbroath when tragedy struck.

The crash happened at around 10.20pm on the A92 Montrose to Arbroath road at Upper Dysart, near the turn-off for Lunan Bay.

With his wife as a front-seat passenger, Mr Gibson was driving his blue Vauxhall Meriva north when it was involved in a collision with a southbound black Vauxhall Astra Coupe.

The couple were pronounced dead at the scene.

Their back-seat passenger, 69-year-old widow Gertie Massie—also from Montrose and a close friend of the Gibsons—suffered serious leg, arm, and hand injuries.

She was taken by ambulance to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, where she had major surgery yesterday. Her condition was described as stable last night.

The driver of the Astra, a 28-year-old from Arbroath, was in Ninewells yesterday in critical condition. He had serious head injuries and multiple fractures.

Mr Gibson was a retired long-distance lorry driver.

He was well-known from his days as a driver for Taylor’s Auction Rooms and latterly worked with a Brechin haulage firm, owned by Peter Fairweather but no longer in operation.

His wife was for many years a shop assistant with W. H. Smith, formerly John Menzies.

Just last week the couple celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary.

They were regular faces at dance events throughout Angus.

It is understood the three had spent Sunday afternoon at the West End social club in Forfar, then went to a ceilidh at the Cafe project building in Arbroath.

The couple also enjoyed caravanning, travelling throughout the UK.

They are survived by their two sons, Malcolm (48), who lives in Norwich, and Kenneth (47), of Laurencekirk, daughter Shiona (45), of Montrose, and four grandchildren.

The couple’s sons issued a statement through Tayside Police last night.

“We would like to thank everyone who has been in touch to offer their condolences at this very upsetting time,” it said.

“It is very much appreciated. Mum and dad will be missed terribly by the entire family and all of their friends, particularly those in their Scottish country dancing group.

“We would also like to thank members of the emergency services who assisted at the crash scene. They do an admirable job in very difficult circumstances.”

Mrs Massie who retired after many years’ service as a domestic at Sunnyside psychiatric hospital at Hillside, has a son, Ewan, who lives near the crash scene, and a daughter Heather, who also lives nearby.

“Mum was always away dancing with Mr and Mrs Gibson on a Sunday,” said her son.

“They have been friends as long as I can remember.

“She is still unaware of the death of her friends. She has come out of theatre today after major surgery to her leg and is stable.

“We have been told she will be in hospital for some time as she will need more operations, but we still have her and our hearts go out to the Gibson family. It is a devastating blow for them.”

A next-door neighbour of the couple, Dan Hird, said last night, “We are all just stunned by what has happened. I have lived next door to them for about 40 years and knew them well.

“I was told what had happened at about 8.30 this morning by another neighbour. It still really hasn’t sunk in.

“I could sit and chat with John for hours over the garden wall.

“I retired a year after him and he was good company.

“Apart from the dancing, they loved their caravan. He bought it after he retired and they would go away two or three times a year.

“He loved his garden and his house and was always on the go doing something.”

Police have asked any witnesses to the crash to call 0845 600 5705.