Inverness lorry driver with 'heart of gold' remembered as hundreds post heartfelt tributes following his death in crash on A9 near Carrbridge
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Hundreds of heartfelt tributes have been paid to an Inverness lorry driver who died in a crash on the A9.
Alan Jones (64) died following the crash involving two HGVs near Carrbridge at about 4.15am on Friday.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Many have posted comments and memories on social media, recalling a “true gentleman” or “a gem of a man” and passing on their condolences to his wife, Ann, and son, Thomas.
Others raised their concerns about the number of fatal accidents on the trunk road.
Inverness and Nairn MSP Fergus Ewing, who recently pledged to continue pressing the Scottish Government on dualling the A9, said the tragic loss of life was devastating for Mr Jones’s family and friends.
“My thoughts and sympathies are with them,” he said. “It is right that the police carry out investigations into all incidents which result in a death and it is inappropriate to speculate on the causes of this or other incidents that are under investigation.
“However, evidence shows that the risk of serious incidents causing major injury or loss of life is higher on single carriageways than on dual and higher on dual carriageways than motorways.
“The A9 has a mixed variety of single, dual and ‘two plus one’. That frequent change from single to dual and vice versa must cause confusion especially for visitors from other countries.”
He said he was continuing to press the Scottish Government for clarity on the timing of delivery of its commitment to complete A9 dualling between Perth and Inverness and that in the interim years a renewed focus was needed on how to improve safety on the A9, seeking a meeting with the police to discuss this in detail.
Mr Ewing added a debt of gratitude was owed to the police and emergency services for their work in attending incidents.
“The emotional and psychological impact upon them of attending to fatalities, assisting the survivors, informing loved ones of the news - clearing the scene - all of this must be a tremendous stress,” he said.
Those paying tribute to Mr Jones included the organisers of the annual Highland Cross duathlon who said he volunteered to drive one of the bike trailers to Affric and was regularly accompanied by his son to help out at the cycle loading.
“An ever cheerful and ever helpful man, his death is a tragic blow to his family and friends,” they said on social media.
“Highland Cross only happens because of the commitment and generosity of spirit of a huge tapestry of individuals, businesses and organisations and Alan was a great example of all that is best in the community of Highland Cross.”
Stuart Baker posted: “I met Alan once and it was when I was in desperate need of help and he was a true gentleman and took me from Perth to Inverness on a Sunday night when I was stranded. Honestly a nice guy.”
Matty Downie reflected the many posts highlighted how many people Mr Jones had touched in many different ways over many years.
“Absolute gem of a man,” he said. “Not many that you can say that about, he truly is going to be missed by so many people.”
Lisa Irvine posted: “We are devastated to hear this. Alan was a truly generous man with a heart of gold.”
The driver of the other HGV, a 56-year-old man, was taken by ambulance to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness and was released following treatment.
Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting reference 0379 of Friday, 30 September, 2022.
