The wife of an Angus lorry driver killed in a horrific crash just two days before Christmas has spoken of her devastation at having to spend the festive season without him.
Gordon Cooper (57), from Montrose, died in the early-morning collision on the A9 Inverness to Perth road, around one mile north of Dunkeld.
Mr Cooper had been carrying out deliveries in north-west Scotland for McKay of Montrose when another HGV travelling in the opposite direction ploughed into his vehicle around 5.20am.
A third articulated lorry subsequently crashed into the wreckage, causing a scene of devastation which meant the road was closed in both directions and only fully reopened after 6pm that evening.
At the home the couple shared in India Road, Montrose, Mr Cooper’s wife Rosemary and her family are struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.
Mrs Cooper described her husband’s death as “devastating” particularly “given the time of year.”
In a statement issued via Tayside Police, she said, “Gordon was a much-loved husband, father and grandfather who will be sadly missed. His untimely death has left a huge hole in our lives and that of his many friends.”
The accident was discovered by an ambulance en route to Perth and the 23-year-old driver of the second lorry was taken to Ninewells Hospital under police escort suffering from serious leg injuries. Two passengers in the third vehicle sustained minor injuries but the driver was unhurt.
The tragedy is just the latest in a long line of fatal accidents on the A9, renowned for being Scotland’s deadliest trunk road.
Tayside Police have also launched an investigation into the accident on December 23 and have urged anyone who may have information to call them on 0300 111 2222.