Policeman critical after head-on crash

Constable Ian Ramsay, 46, who has worked with Central Scotland Police for 27 years, was cut from the wreck of his Subaru car after it collided with a Volvo estate car near Strathyre.

Mr Ramsay suffered multiple injuries and was airlifted to Stirling Royal Infirmary.

Traffic officials from the constable's own force were yesterday at the scene of the accident in a bid to establish the cause.

It is believed a 10-mile long oil spill on the road, which remained closed for almost four hours yesterday morning, was a factor in the accident.

Mr Ramsay, who is the only officer at the tiny Crianlarich police station, had been driving to Falkirk to attend an annual police-run charity event when his car skidded and collided with a red Volvo estate driven by child psychologist Kate Turner, 34, of Quarry Road, Fintry, travelling in the opposite direction.

He was due to take a group of local children to play golf at Falkirk Golf Club as part of the Cala Homes-sponsored event.

Mrs Turner suffered slight shoulder and hip injuries.

Meanwhile, two men who were killed in a road accident in the Borders on Wednesday night were named yesterday as Mr William Forbes, 63, of Dyers Court and Mr Alan Gilmour, 31, of Havannah Court, both Kelso.

Mr Forbes, a leading figure in Borders rugby was a selector for the South of Scotland District Union and a past president of Kelso Rugby Club.

The car in which they were travelling smashed into the stone parapet of a bridge on the B6404 St Boswells to Charterhouse road.

Two other men, Mr Thomas Scott, 67, of Prior's Court, and Mr George Hughes, 66, of Wooden Farm, also of Kelso, were taken to the Borders General Hospital with severe chest injuries.

qThe funeral of promising young footballer Scott Lawson, who was killed when he was struck by a motor cycle on the A71 near his home in Dedridge, Livingston on Friday, took place yesterday at Lanthorne Church and Adambrae cemetery in Livingston.