Horror A9 crash victims named

Nov 8 2011 by Denis Brown, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

POLICE yesterday named the tragic victims killed in a horror two-car smash on the A9 near Bankfoot.

Edinburgh man Michael Joyce (31), from the city’s Cannongate area, was declared dead by paramedics at the scene on Friday, while Cole Gibson (7), from the Lochgelly area of Fife, died later at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.

Both were in the same car, a silver Renault Kangoo, travelling north, with Michael in the front passenger seat and Cole seated in the rear.

The driver, Cole’s mother and Michael’s partner, 29-year-old Hazel Gibson – believed to be pregnant – suffered serious injuries but was yesterday in a stable condition at Ninewells.

Meanwhile, two female occupants – aged 18 and 19 – of the second vehicle involved in the 7.30pm collision, a southbound dark coloured Peugeot, escaped with minor injuries and were released from hospital after treatment.

Police yesterday reissued an appeal for witnesses to the incident, which resulted in the Perth to Inverness road being closed for about seven hours while crash scene investigators worked the scene.

“A full investigation into the circumstances of the incident are continuing,” said a spokeman.

“We are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident and who has not already spoken to officers, to call 0300 111 2222, or speak to any police officer.”