Loons boss seeks ‘Martin from Crieff’ after M9 crash

Forfar Athletic manager keen to thank Good Samaritan for help after collision

Forfar Athletic manager Jim Weir is on the hunt for an unknown Crieff man who came to his rescue following a horrific crash on the M9 motorway on Monday night.

The former St Johnstone captain says it is a “minor miracle” he escaped serious injury and he wants to thank the Good Samaritan for going to his aid.

Jim, who lives in Perth, was returning from training at Stenhousemuir with his assistant Barry Sellars when they were involved in a head-on collision at around 9.15pm.

The pair were rushed to the Forth Valley Hospital in Larbert but in the moments following the crash they were helped from their car by a man they know only as Martin from Crieff.

Jim said they never got a chance to thank him properly at the time and they were keen to express their gratitude now they are both on the mend.

Jim said: “He was first on the scene but I never got his surname. He helped us both out of the car and he put us into his car and kept us out of trouble until the ambulance arrived.

“Most people just want to get home at that time of night but he stayed. He phoned my partner and his partner to say he would be late home.

“I didn’t get a chance to thank him when the ambulance arrived.”

Jim cannot remember what Martin does for a living but thinks he was in his mid-50s and has asked anyone who might know him to get in touch on Facebook so he can thank him personally.

He and Barry are recovering at home following the crash.

Jim said: “I’ve hurt my neck and my back but luckily it’s nothing more serious – it’s a minor miracle.

“Thanks to everyone for the kind messages.”

The driver of the other vehicle also escaped serious injury.

Forfar Athletic released a statement saying the club will take medical advice before the pair can return to the dugout.

It said: “Both Jim and Barry have suffered fairly severe whiplash injuries as well as more than a few cuts and bruises, but when one sees the photographic evidence they are both lucky to not have sustained more serious injury.

“Knowing both, they will be keen to be in the dugout no doubt come Saturday afternoon, but we are sure they will also take the required medical advice before any firm decision is made.

“Thankfully, the driver of the other vehicle also escaped serious injury.

“All ‘Loons’ supporters will be wishing Jim and Barry all the best following this harrowing experience and also a speedy recovery to full fitness.”

Jim became a St Johnstone legend during his time at McDiarmid Park, appearing more than 200 times between 1994 and 2007, many of them as captain.

He has also managed Montrose, Brechin and Arbroath.

Barry Sellars had various spells as a player at Arbroath and Forfar, before taking up a coaching role.

Forfar manager Jim Weir wants to thank an unknown Crieff man who came to the rescue after he and his assistant, Barry Sellars, were involved in a head-on collision on the M9 motorway on Monday night. He only knows his first name, Martin.

Picture: Emma Spiers. Barry Sellars is recovering at home.