Tributes to two young West Lothian men who tragically died in separate motoring accidents

Mar 3 2011 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

TRIBUTES have been paid to two young West Lothian men who tragically died in separate motoring accidents last weekend.

Kevin Pryde, 30, from Polbeth died in the early hours of Saturday when the car he was a passenger in crashed into a tree.

Then on Sunday, Andrew Guinan, 23, from East Calder, was killed when the 4x4 vehicle he was driving plunged 200 feet down a hill during an off-road race in Kinrossie.

Mr Pryde was the front-seat passenger in a car that left the road on the Livingston to Blackburn section of the B7015, near to the junction with Wester Breich Road at around 12.50am on Saturday.

Despite the best efforts of paramedics from the Scottish Ambulance Service, the 30-year-old died from his injuries at the scene after being cut from the car.

The road, which is a notorious accident blackspot, was closed for several hours to allow specialist accident investigators from Lothian and Borders Police to carry out enquiries.

The 22-year-old male driver of the car, was injured and taken to hospital. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Floral tributes have been left at the scene along with football tops and messages of condolence from family, friends and colleagues.

One read: “You were a good man and a good mate and you will forever be in our thoughts. Love Jamie, Lynne and Chelsea.”

Friend Diane wrote: “You were such a loving and kind guy. Taken too soon from us. Miss you.”

It is believed Mr Pryde stayed in Polbeth with his parents William and Senga and brother Liam.

A nearby farmer told the Courier the road was an infamous accident blackspot.

He said: “It is a bad road. People come off it all the time, especially at that corner near Freeport.

“Cars are constantly crashing into our fields. We have given up repairing the fence as it happens so often.

“There certainly seems to have been more accidents this winter in the bad road conditions.”

Another local resident added: “It’s unfortunate that someone has lost their life but I’m not surprised.

“Someone comes off the road every week or so. The council should be doing something to slow people down on the road before there is another tragic accident.”

Meanwhile, it was revealed Mr Guinan, who was killed on Sunday during a “tyro” event organised by the Tay 4x4 Club was a hero during this winter’s big freeze.

The 23-year-old was one of three volunteers who used their 4x4 to battle through the snow to help deliver vital dialysis equipment from Ninewells Hospital in Dundee to Arbroath Infirmary during December’s blizzards.

The other two were mum-of-three Mary Don and her son Bobby, 21.

Mr Guinan, was a lodger in Mary’s home in Montrose, and worked in a garage in the town run by her partner.

He previously lived with mother Jean and older brother Alastair at the Linwater Caravan Park just outside East Calder.

Mr Guinan was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident on Sunday, at Hillfoot Farm near Coupar Angus, Perthshire.

The farm is used occasionally by the Tay 4x4 club, of which he was a member. It is understood that he reached the top of a steep summit when his car became unstable and tipped over on its side, before rolling 200ft down the hill.

On the Tay 4x4 club’s Facebook page members have left tributes to the 23-year-old.

Debi Russell wrote: “Very sad news. Andrew will be missed by the 4x4 community.”

Christopher Miller added: “RIP Andrew, our thoughts are with your friends and family right now.”

Tributes have also been left on motor sport forums.

One on the Scottish Mud Club forum read: “Andrew will be missed by all in the 4x4 community. Our thoughts go out to his family, his friends and Tay 4x4 club at this time.”

Another wrote: “Andrew’s death has come as a shock to all who ever had the pleasure to know him, always laughing and joking and full of joy. He will be sadly missed.”

Whitbread Off Road, based in Lampeter, said on their Facebook page that Andrew had died while practising for a charity race in Wales, with money raised from the event set to go to Wales Air Ambulance.

They said: “All of us at Whitbread Off Road were very shocked and deeply saddened to hear the tragic news of the sudden death of Andrew Guinan at the weekend.”

The club are now planning to do something in his honour at the competition.

The Motor Sports Association said they had sent their condolences to the family and friends of Mr Guinan and would be working closely with the police and the organising club to establish what happened.