The deaths of a married couple following an accident in Glenrothes at the weekend were the second road tragedy suffered by the family, the Courier can reveal.
Police named 61-year-old Harry Taggerty and 58-year-old Shirley Taggerty from Glenrothes as the pedestrians who were killed in a collision with a grey Ford Fiesta on the A911 Leslie Road close to Riverside Park at around 10.10am on Saturday July 13.
In a tragic coincidence, Mr Taggerty’s death comes nearly 40 years after his own father, Harry snr, was also killed while attempting to cross South Parks Road in the town in 1980.
Mr Taggerty, a former engineer and his wife, a retired drama teacher at Pitteuchar East Primary School, were pronounced dead at the scene of Saturday’s accident.
A 20-year-old male driver suffered minor injuries.
In a statement released through Police Scotland, Mr and Mrs Taggerty’s family said: “We are all devastated by the sudden and tragic loss of both Harry and Shirley, who were both devoted parents, grandparents and friends.
“Harry was also a loving son, brother, cousin, uncle and nephew. They will be deeply missed by everyone, but will always be in our hearts and we will all treasure the memories we shared together.”
Colin Phimister, one of Mr Taggerty’s former workmates, said the news of the couple’s deaths would come as a “huge shock” to many in the town.
He said: “He was my pal and was a respected engineer at Anderson’s in Glenrothes and very popular among all his colleagues.
“It’s truly shocking. I could hardly believe the coincidence when I heard the news as his Harry’s father was also killed by a motorist many years ago.”
Alex Thomson, secretary of Auchmuty and Dovecot Residents Association, paid tribute to Mrs Taggerty, adding: “She was such a nice person and loved by all the pupils, both at Pitteuchar East and also at the other schools she taught at. It’s so sad.”
Sergeant Ewan Pearce from Fife’s Road Policing Unit said: “Our thoughts and sympathies continue to be with Mr and Mrs Taggerty’s family and friends at this extremely difficult time and we have specially trained officers providing them with support.
Sgt Pearce also made a further pleas for motorists to come forward.
“Our inquiries have identified a blue Vauxhall van, either a Movano or Vivaro model, in the area at the time of the collision and I’d urge the driver of this vehicle to contact us to assist our investigation,” he said.
“Similarly anyone with information, or relevant dash-cam footage, that has not yet spoken to, or provided this to officers, is asked to contact us as soon as possible.”
Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101.
