Road accident victim dies in hospital

A MAN hit by a van as he tried to help an elderly crash victim has died almost a week after the accident, police said today.

The 39-year-old was one of two men struck as they helped a motorist involved in a collision with another vehicle on Sunday 31 January.

The other man, who died at the scene, was Thomas Rarity, 47, from Bathgate, West Lothian.

Police said the 39-year-old, who was driving a BMW car, was taken to Glasgow's Southern General Hospital, where he died on Saturday 6 February.

The original crash victim, a 71-year-old woman, was taken to Paisley's Royal Alexandra Hospital. Authorities could not provide an update on her condition.

The two men had gone to help the pensioner when they saw her Polo car in collision with a Seat Leon – both heading east – on the A737 near Linwood.

The pensioner ended up crossing the road's central reservation and the two men who stopped to help then crossed to the westbound carriageway to help.

An oncoming van then struck the pair, killing Mr Rarity.

The driver of the Seat Leon was not injured.

Police said that a report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.