Special service to remember Earlston crash victim
Published 11 Jan 2012 09:19
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A 17-YEAR-OLD motorist from the Borders remained in a critical condition in hospital this week following a horror smash which claimed the life of another teenager.
Bobby Thornton, from Lauder, who is due to celebrate his 18th birthday next month, was rushed to the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh following the one-vehicle crash on the A697 road near Westruther on New Year's Day around 7.10pm.
He was the driver of a Mitsubishi Evo which appears to have crossed the opposite carriageway and smashed into a tree.
The passenger, named by police as 18-year-old Scott Johnston, from Earlston, was pronounced dead at the scene.
He was described as a "true gentleman" who was "always smiling" by friends posting messages on his page on social-networking site Facebook this week.
A special service is being held in his memory at Earlston Parish Church tonight (Wednesday, January 11) from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. All his friends are invited.
Scott's funeral is due to take place tomorrow (Thursday, January 12). The service will start at 1.15pm.
Meanwhile, Bobby's family and friends kept a vigil by his bedside this week. And messages of support have been flooding in on his Facebook page.
However, it is understood he no longer requires the aid of his life support machine.
Bobby's sister Laura Thornton said: "A big thank you for all your kind messages, you are all such nice friends. Bobby is hanging on and being very brave and strong. Please all say a prayer for him and hope he will wake up soon."
And she added: "All the family are also deeply saddened by the loss of Scott, such a sad sad time, and our thoughts are with his family. Thanks all for your kind words."
This article appeared in Border Telegraph 11 Jan 12
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