Tributes to biker who died in A85 collision

A THIRD biker who died in one of two separate crashes on the same road just 30 miles apart has been named by police.

John Johnston Jnr, 34, from Taynuilt, died in a crash on the A85 between Loch Awe and Taynuilt in Argyll around 11.45am on Wednesday.

A few hours later, James Whiteside, 59, and Jacqueline Hennessey, 54, died following a collision on the A85 near Crianlarich in the Stirling Council area.

Tributes were paid to the rider by a community leader. Murray Sim of Taynuilt Community Council, said: “I knew John well. This is extremely sad, it’s a tragedy, he was only minutes away from his home.”

Mr Sim said he understood that Mr Johnston had not long left his village when the accident happened and added: “The community are devastated for all concerned. His parents stay in the village and he has two sisters.

“He was a good mechanic, a good worker and a nice young guy.”

Police said that a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Offices from the road traffic division have appealed for anyone who may have seen a silver Honda Fireblade motorcycle before 11.30am that day to contact them on the non emergency number 101.

A few hours later, Mr Whiteside, from Greenock, Inverclyde, and Ms Hennessey, of Tullibody, Clackmannanshire, died following a collision on the A85 near Crianlarich, Stirlingshire.

The crash happened at about 4.20pm when their Yamaha motorcycle was involved in a collision with a Volkswagen Golf.

The 24-year-old male car driver was uninjured.