The devastated family of a great-grandfather who died after being hit by a car on his daily walk are pleading with witnesses to come forward following the Hogmanay tragedy.
John Allan was left with horrific injuries from the incident on December 29. He sadly died at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow on Hogmanay.
The crash happened at around 8.30am on a pedestrian crossing on Beith Road, Johnstone, between Midton Road and Fordbank Avenue.
Son Craig, 62, explained how it was “race against time” to say goodbye to his dad as he was in Lanzarote when he received a heartbreaking call from his sister.
He said: “It’s just a horrific, violent way to go after a long life. He never regained consciousness because of his injuries. The impact was quite severe.
“It was a race against time to get back to Scotland, I was in shock but I just had to get back. I arrived the day before he passed. My sisters, Audrey and Dawn were there also as we said goodbye. It’s like an open wound at the moment and as if my dad’s life isn’t finished because it’s all still ongoing.
“It’s obviously very hard for all his family so we’re just please asking for anybody to come forward with anything at all so we can know exactly what happened. There’s just a lot of questions at the moment that we need answered so please help if you can.”
John, originally from Glasgow, was married to the late Betty for over 60 years before she passed three years ago. He has three children, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, who had all celebrated Christmas with in the days before his passing.
“My dad was a family man who was friendly and very sociable,” Craig said. “A lot of people would know him from walking or on the buses. He was always talking to everyone.
“The day he died he was on was his morning walk to get his paper. Something he did every day, he would be out three times a day.
“He had alzheimer’s so he kept a routine and that’s what helped him. He enjoyed going to the bookies in Johnstone but he never put a bet on for more than £1. He was a creature of habit and didn’t like change but we will dearly miss him.”
The car involved in the crash was a red Toyota Corolla. The driver was not injured. Police Scotland are continuing their public appeal to try and piece together what happened.
Sergeant Paul Mellis of the Road Policing Unit said: “Our thoughts remain with John’s family and friends at this very difficult time.
“Enquiries into the crash are continuing. I would appeal to anyone with information or dashcam footage to contact us through 101 quoting incident number 0814 of 29 December, 2024.”
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