Scot dies in triple tragedy as car crashes into reservoir

AN EXPAT Scot has died in Canada after his car skidded into an icy reservoir.

James Roderick "Roddy" Allan, 43, died after his vehicle crashed into Spray Lakes Reservoir, in Alberta.

Also killed in the accident was Mr Allan's brother-in-law Darrin Waugh and his wife, Jennifer, who were both 39 and from Calgary.

The only passenger to survive the plunge was Mr Allan's partner, Jaimie Waugh, 33.

Mr Allan, originally from Edinburgh, studied art in the city and made frequent return trips to his home city when he was on holiday.

A worker in the restaurant and hospitality industry, the father of two emigrated to Canada in 1996.

The accident happened on 30 December after Mr Allan and the rest of the party had enjoyed a day in the mountains.

His Ford Escape is believed to have hit an ice patch on the road and then skidded into the reservoir. The vehicle plunged through the ice and into two metres of water.

Passers-by rescued Ms Waugh and pulled out the bodies of the dead.

Images taken by divers showed the badly damaged vehicle lying on its side in murky water.

A spokeswoman for the family said: "(Jaimie is] being strong for her kids. It is just such an unreal time and we're just trying to get through each day."

She added: "She's lost everything to her and to be the only one to survive such a tragic accident, she just feels guilt and sadness and loss and despair. She's empty."

More than 700 family members and friends attended the funeral services for Mr Allan.

Mourners were told he was a "rough-and-tumble, rugby-loving and well-travelled" man with "an enormous appetite for life".