For Argyll

Around 5.45 pm yesterday (2nd December 2008), a 38 year-old man, Dougie McTaggart, was driving his Skoda Felicia pick-up eastbound along the A847 when it collided with a westbound Scania Tipper being driven by a 52 year old man, approximately a mile west of the junction with the B8017.

Two other cars were said to have been involved but this may not be reliable as they have not been mentioned by Strathclyde Police.

All three occupants of the Skoda Felicia pick-up died at the scene. The 52 year-old male driver of the Scania Tipper was treated in hospital for shock, and allowed to go.

Strathclyde Police have now confirmed the names of those who died. Two were men, one aged 47 - Neil MacFadyen, 47, who worked on Mr MacTaggart’s farm, Mr MacTaggart himself and his 10 year-old son, Jamie. The police have also confirmed that one of the men who died was a volunteer firefighter for Islay.

Anyone would quickly understand the impact of this awful tragedy on the close and supportive communities of Islay.

Strathclyde Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident to to contact Constable Ronald Stevenson, Road Policing Argyll at Lochgilphead Police Office on 01546 702225. Alternatively, witnesses may contact Bowmore Police Office on 01496 301423. In both cases contacts will be off the record.

The A846 was closed for some time to enable investigations of the accident to take place. Enquiries are continuing to establish the full circumstances of the crash. The pick-up and the lorry have been removed from the island for investigation in relation to the incident.

Strathclyde Fire and Rescue’s Area Commander for Argyll and Bute, Paul Connelly, arrived on Islay this morning (3rd December). He said: ‘It is with great sadness that I can confirm that one of the dead was a volunteer firefighter. The whole community here has been badly shaken by this tragedy. I have come to Islay with two colleagues - one of whom is a service clergyman - to offer our support’.