Tributes paid to Scot cyclists killed by lorry

TRIBUTES have been paid to two cyclists who died in an accident during a charity ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

Andrew McMenigall, left, and Toby Wallace, were killed shotly after beginning a charity ride. Picture: Hemedia

• Cyclists killed in lorry crash as they embarked on Land’s End to John O’Groats ride praised for “selflessness and humanity”

• Andrew McMenigall, 47, and Toby Wallace, 36, from Aberdeen, were raising money for cancer charity

Andrew McMenigall, 47, and Toby Wallace, 36, were killed in the crash on the A30 in Cornwall on Tuesday.

Mr McMenigall, from Edinburgh, was a senior investment manager with Aberdeen Asset Management. He was married with two daughters.

Mr Wallace worked in the Scots firm’s Philadelphia office and was from the UK originally. He was also married.

The pair were involved in a collision with a lorry near Summercourt at around 8.30am on Tuesday.

The 31-year-old driver, from Holsworthy, Devon, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and later released on bail.

The two cyclists were on a charity ride to raise funds for the Kirsten Scott Memorial Trust, which was set up in memory of a colleague from their firm who lost her battle with cancer in October 2011.

Martin Gilbert, chief executive of Aberdeen Asset Management, said that staff at the investment firm have been deeply saddened by the accident.

“I knew both Andrew and Toby well. They were dedicated and popular members of our senior team”, he said yesterday.

“The fact that they died in such tragic circumstances while trying to help others less fortunate tells you much about their selflessness and humanity.

“This is a terrible time for the company. More importantly our thoughts are with the families of Andrew and Toby. We will be doing everything we can to support them.”

Mr McMenigall was an experienced triathlete who graduated as a British Army officer from Sandhurst before completing an MBA at Edinburgh University and joining AAM in 1997.

A report by Reuters in March listed him as responsible for managing the $1 billion International Equity Fund.

Gavin Calder, Edinburgh Triathletes president, who had loaned his friend his own bike for the challenge, described Mr McMenigall as a “giant of the club” .

“I am sure that I speak for all in the triathlon and cycling communities in registering my shock and sadness at the tragic and untimely death of our fellow ET Andrew McMenigall on the Cornish roads”, he wrote on the club’s website.

“Andrew was a true clubman, giving his time freely to bring on triathletes of every standard at all times of the day. He was a giant of the club.”

Mr McMenigall had been involved for seven years and coached three-time Olympian David Carry and European Standard Distance Triathlon champion Keira Murray.

“Andrew loved his cycling and I know that he really enjoyed the last few months training for his Land’s End to John O’Groats challenge”, Mr Calder added.

“Typically he was doing it for the benefit of others: raising money for the Kirsten Scott Memorial Fund.

“He was a dedicated vice-president and all round good guy and I know that his loss will be sorely felt by all those connected to the Edinburgh Triathletes.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Andrew’s family at this time.”

Mr Wallace was a senior relationship manager in the Aberdeen Asset Management’s Philadelphia office. He joined the company in 2000 as a graduate trainee from Jesus College, Cambridge.

While at college he became a winning Blue in the 1998 and 1999 University Boat Race. In 2012, he again used his skills as a member of an eight man crew which rowed across the Atlantic.

The Kirsten Scott Memorial Trust aims to provide grants to people under the age of 26 in order for them to fulfil ambitions and enhance their personal development, either at home in Scotland or overseas.

Andrew Scott, Ms Scott’s brother and a trustee, said: “We learnt on Tuesday evening of the terrible news that Toby Wallace and Andrew McMenigall had both died in a cycling accident.

“Their fund raising efforts have meant so much in helping to establish a trust in Kirsten’s name to support young people under 26.

“We are all devastated to learn of this dreadful accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with Toby and Andrew’s families and friends at this sad time.”