Family of bridge worker who died enjoy a ‘truly amazing experience’

The family of a man who died while working on the Queensferry Crossing described walking across the bridge as a “truly amazing experience”.

Wullie McColm, 51, died after having a heart attack while working on the bridge on August 29 2012.

His wife Catherine, 50, son Jake, 14, and stepdaughter Gemma Moore, 29, were among the 50,000 people who crossed the new bridge yesterday.

Childminder Catherine said: “The event was awesome and it ended up that myself Gemma and Jake were the very last members of the public to cross the bridge. “We had it all to ourselves. “It was a truly amazing experience and the perfect end to an emotional week.”

Catherine said the timing of the walk was very fitting for her family to take part in, in memory of her late husband.

The couple were just days away from celebrating their sixth wedding anniversary, on September 1, when Wullie died.

She said: “We all just felt so proud Wullie was part of building the bridge, even it was towards the start, just made it all the more special.”

Wullie’s co-workers put up a plaque with the words “Wullie’s Base” at the crossing to commemorate the popular dad.

Catherine said: “His plaque is under the water on one of the bases he built, which the bridge stands on.

“But it would just be lovely if there was a plaque in memory of Wullie and the other man who died while working on the bridge.

“I just want to thank everyone who made it possible for us to cross the bridge. The support we have received has been amazing.”

Clockwise from bottom left: schoolchildren wave saltires ahead of the Queen’s arrival; the Queen, watched by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, cuts the ribbon to officially open the bridge; crowds braving the inclement weather to watch the official...

Pictures: Getty Images/ PA/Kim Cessford.

SWNS. Wullie’s son Jake, stepdaughter Gemma Moore and wife Catherine as they cross the bridge.

Wullie McColm with his son, Jake.