Police appeal following fatal crash

Published 4 Sep 2010 17:01 0 Comments

POLICE are appealing for witnesses following a double fatal motorbike crash in the Scottish Borders yesterday (Friday, September 3).

The single vehicle crash happened on the A72 Galashiels to Peebles road just outside Galashiels at 5.30pm.

The BMW motorcycle was travelling east towards Galashiels when it left the road and collided with some trees.

The 51-year-old male driver and his 15-year-old male passenger, both from the Scottish Borders, were treated at the scene. The 51-year-old man, Colin Rafferty, died at the scene. His 15-year-old son, Keir Rafferty, was taken to Borders General Hospital but later died from his injuries.

The road was closed for around four and a half hours while accident investigations were carried out.

A police spokesperson said: "We are still trying to find out exactly what happened in the minutes before the collision.

"We would ask anyone who was in the area at the time, and who saw what happened, to come forward."

Anyone with any information should contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or in confidence and complete anonymity through the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Meanwhile, in a statement, the family paid tribute to a "a wonderful father" and a son who "brightened up any room he walked into" and revealed the "tragic loss will forever leave a huge hole in our family life."

It read: "Colin was not just a wonderful father and husband but the best friend to his three sons. Colin was always there for everybody, nothing was ever too much. He was passionate about life and lived it to the full. He will be remembered by friends, colleagues and the wider community from his role as a Community Psychiatric Nurse and as a Football Coach for Gala Fairydean Youths.

"Keir was the youngest son, 15 and the centre of all our lives. He brightened up any room he walked into with his cheeky grin and being a young man who said a lot in a few words! He loved his football and was a natural pillion passenger. He and his dad loved the bike, travelling in UK and Europe together.

"This tragic loss will forever leave a huge hole in our family life. However the memories of their lives will keep us smiling and laughing at the many antics the two would get up to."

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