Young father killed by stolen car in hit-and-run hours before birthday

Published on Sunday 7 June 2009 22:07

A MAN has died after being struck by a stolen car in a hit-and-run incident.

Police are appealing for the driver of the Mitsubishi Evolution to come forward, following the collision which killed Paul Bonnar, 30, in Edinburgh about 1:30am yesterday.

Mr Bonnar, who had been due to celebrate his birthday, had been walking on the pavement along Walter Scott Avenue, Gilmerton, when he was struck by the car, which was thought to have been carrying four or five people.

The vehicle was later found burnt out on wasteground about three miles away.

Inspector Andy Gilhooley, of Lothian and Borders Police, said he believed the incident was linked to a fight in the street ten minutes before Mr Bonnar was hit.

"There was a disturbance in the street at about 1:20am, involving a group of five to ten males and females."

He said the car, which had been stolen from Brunswick Street, Leith, on Saturday night, might have been carrying people involved in the fight. The driver appeared to lose control after hitting a speed bump, after which the white car hit Mr Bonnar.

Mr Gilhooley said someone in the car had got out and tried to administer first aid, before getting back into the vehicle, which left the scene, turning left at the junction with Gilmerton Road.

"The driver may well have not realised he was so seriously hurt. Mr Bonnar seems to have been an innocent victim."

However, locals said Mr Bonnar had been involved in a fight with another man in the nearby Robin's Nest pub a couple of hours before he was run over.

Yesterday, floral tributes lay at the scene of the crash. One said: "Paul, you were a brilliant friend, thanks for all the memories, laughs and good times." Another read: "Paul, thinking of you always. Can't believe you're gone."

Mr Bonnar, a gas worker who lived with his wife and daughter in The Inch area, would have turned 31 today and marked his wedding anniversary tomorrow. His neighbour, Colin Fox, the leader of the Scottish Socialist Party, said he had known Mr Bonnar for years and described him as a "nice guy".

"I used to see him when we were both coming in from work. He would always say 'Hello'. It's a terrible tragedy."

Meanwhile, police yesterday named two men who died when the car they were in overturned and caught fire. Driver Fahid Noor, 20, and Arif Ashraf, 30, were killed in the accident early on Saturday morning.

The men, both of Glasgow, were in a black Vauxhall Vectra travelling north in Giffnock, East Renfrewshire.

And a motorcyclist died after a crash in Aberdeen yesterday. Raymond Simpson, 40, was from the Torry area.