Death crash driver did not have driving licence

The driver of a car involved in a horrific road crash which claimed two lives did not have a licence, it has emerged.

Father-of-three Sean Allan died in the crash. Picture: contributed

Sean Allan and Kyle Thomson were killed when the Hyundai they were travelling in collided with a Subaru on Old Dalkeith Road last weekend.

Their back-seat passenger, Raymond Thomson, remains in the ERI, where his ­condition is said to be improving.

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The Evening News understands that 24-year-old driver Mr Allan had never owned a driver’s licence and that the red Hyundai Coupe did not belong to any of the group.

Mr Allan and Kyle Thomson were taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary after the late-night crash on November 7, but succumbed to their injuries. Doctors are pleased with Raymond Thomson’s progress and are optimistic that he will make a full recovery.

Police are continuing their investigations into the incident, which took place near the bend at Bridgend Allotments.

Local councillor Nick Cook today said he sympathised with nearby residents who have called for improved safety measures since the crash.

They want a speed camera to be installed, the road to be upgraded and for new signs to be put in place to warn of the 30mph speed limit.

Cllr Cook, who represents the Gilmerton/Liberton ward, said: “It’s understandable that they would want to look further at the issue and how we could improve signage and enforcement of the limit.

“It’s tragic that the residents have had to deal with something like that on their doorsteps.”

But he warned that the options available to the authorities may be limited because Old Dalkeith Road – part of the A7 – is a “main arterial route” in and out of the city.

A police spokesman said inquiries were ongoing into the circumstances of the crash, and city council officials will join police on a visit to the site soon.

National charity Brake has launched a high-profile campaign to help prevent accidents on Scotland’s roads.

The organisation’s latest statistics reveal that 172 people were killed and 1667 seriously injured last year.

As part of Road Safety Week, thousands of schools, communities and companies are taking part in a raft of activities to spread the safety message, and police across the country are stepping up traffic enforcement.

It is believed the crash victims had been driving towards Cameron Toll when their car crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with the Subaru.

The two young men in the other car – understood to be from Mayfield and Newtongrange – managed to free themselves from the wreckage and suffered minor injuries.

Father-of-three Mr Allan, from Loanhead, posted a poignant message on Facebook the day before he died, which said: “New day, new start, time to sort my life out and grow up.”

Kyle Thomson, 22, from Peebles, was a chef who had recently moved to Burt’s Hotel in Melrose. Raymond Thomson is also from Peebles.

Floral tributes and a Rangers scarf have been placed at the scene of the crash by grieving relatives and friends.