Tragic A9 lorry man named

Monday 8.2.10

THE A9 INVERNESS to Perth road was closed to traffic north of Pitlochry yesterday after a “much-loved” lorry driver lost his life in a horrific crash.

Andrew Raeside (54), from Kirkintilloch, named last night by employers Brogan Fuels, died after the tanker he was driving hit the Coronation Bridge and plunged 40 feet into Loch Faskally shortly after 12.15am.

The emergency services rushed to the incident and fought to free Mr Raeside from the cabin of his vehicle, which was submerged in the freezing water.

However he was pronounced dead by paramedics the scene.

Tayside Fire and Rescue dispatched seven appliances from across the region including the heavy rescue unit from Perth and command support unit from Kingsway West in Dundee.

There were initially concerns the tanker could ignite but it was later found to be empty.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) visited the site after a small amount of fuel leaked into the loch.

A Tayside Police spokesperson said the articulated heavy goods lorry had been travelling south on the A9 en route to Grangemouth from Inverness when it jack-knifed and struck the historic bridge.

The crash’s force caused the cabin of the vehicle to break free from the trailer.

No other vehicles were involved.

The road was closed at Faskally all day to allow officers to carry out an accident examination.

A bridge engineer from Transerve attended to survey the structural damage.

Traffic was diverted through Pitlochry but height restrictions were in place and vehicles exceeding 15ft 3ins were forced to wait.

Brogan Fuels operations director Ron Tomal last night paid tribute to “a first-class worker and friend to everyone.”

He said, “We are shocked and deeply upset by the news, he was much loved.”

An eyewitness described the site as “utter carnage.”

The walker, who asked not to be named, said, “I have never seen anything as bad, it was just devastating.

“I don’t think anyone would survive crashing from that height, the vehicle was completely crushed.”

The police could not confirm reports that poor weather had contributed to the crash but said inquiries were ongoing and all factors would be included in a report to the procurator fiscal.

Anyone who witnessed the collision take place should call 0300 111 2222.

© All copyright D C Thomson & Co Ltd., 2010