Carnage on the roads
Police appeal after 3 die on roads in less than 24 hours
Calls were made this week for safety improvements at “accident blackspots” in the wake of three young lives being wiped out in less than 24 hours.
Driver Ian Clark, 30, and back seat passenger shannan rafferty, 22, were killed after the toyota Corolla they were travelling in ploughed into a tree in ayr.
the following day a 37- year- old man, named locally as Barrie logue, was killed in a crash on the a77 at Maybole.
tory MsP John scott said:“this is yet further evidence of the need to improve the a77 and the roads around the Maybole area - which I hope will be addressed sooner rather than later.”
Emotional tributes were this week paid to three people who died in horror road accidents in the space of 24 hours.
Driver Ian Clark, 30, and back- seat passenger Shannan Rafferty, 22, both from Girvan, were killed on Friday after the car they were in collided with a tree.
Police confirmed that the white Toyota Corolla being driven by Ian crashed while heading north on the B7024 High Maybole Road in Ayr at around 2.30pm.
The car appears to have lost control when approaching a left- hand bend, leaving the road and hitting the tree.
In a second fatal accident nearby, a 37- year- old man, named locally as Barrie Logue, was killed in a crash on the A77 at Maybole at around 3.40am on Saturday.
He was driving a blue Chevrolet Lacetti south when the car collided with a northbound lorry at the junction with the B742.
Police confirmed the man died at the scene while the 34- year- old male lorry driver was unhurt. They appealed for witnesses to contact them.
Officers have appealed for anyone who witnessed the crash or were travelling on the route to contact them.
MSP John Scott has called for safety improvements on the roads. He said: “These are two tragic accidents and my sympathies go out to all the families who have lost loved ones at these accident blackspots.
“Unfortunately this is yet further evidence of the need to improve the A77 and the roads around the Maybole area - which I hope will be addressed sooner rather than later.”
John Campbell, road campaigner for the A77 Action Group, said: “There have been a number of tragic accidents on the roads over the years and it’s clear something has to be done. We will be meeting the transport minister next month in the hope to address the road safety on the A77.”
Pals and family of Ian and Shannan have paid their respects at the spot the car came off the road.
One friend left a message saying: “Our wee Shanetto – I just don’t believe you are gone.
“You were one of a kind – a huge character that everyone couldn’t help but love.
“There’s a huge gap in our wee group that loved you so much.
“None of us will ever forget you – party on chick.”
And tributes were also posted on Facebook.
Friend Kylie Wilson posted: “You were a star and always made me laugh honey.
“I’m going to miss you – sleep tight Shannan.”
Three other male passengers in Ian’s car, two aged 16 and one 34- year- old, were injured. Police confirmed none of those involved in the crash are related.
One of the 16- year- olds was taken by air to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow where his condition is said to be serious but stable.
The second teenager was taken to Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock with serious injuries but his condition is now said to be stable.
The 34- year- old, who was the front- seat passenger, is being treated at Ayr Hospital where he is also described as stable.
Sergeant Nicola Taylor, from the divisional road policing unit in Ayrshire, appealed for witnesses to the crash.
She said: “I would ask that anyone who was driving either on High Maybole Road, or in the immediate vicinity, who might have seen the car prior to the crash to contact police.”
Stewart Turner, head of the Ayrshire Roads Alliance, said: “Our immediate thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those impacted by this tragic incident.
“As the matter is the subject of an ongoing police enquiry, we are unable to make any comment on the circumstances.”