Praise for police after Reay tourist tragedy

FRIENDS of the Italian couple who died tragically in a road accident near Reay have sent their heartfelt gratitude to those who helped on that dreadful day.

Emanuele Nicò (44) and Liana Pinotti (45) were killed when their motorcycle was involved in a collision with a car at Drumhollistan on July 30.

Sergio Mendini and Lilli Musso, friends of the couple who were with them as they toured Scotland, got in touch with the Caithness Courier, through Italian journalist Mario Visco, to express their gratitude for all the support they had received.

They paid particular tribute to the police in Thurso who, they said, treated them with “humanity” and handled paperwork for them at a time of great distress.

They also said that staff at Raigmore in Inverness made great efforts to help them, and they made mention of the fact that a few hours after the accident flowers bearing a written prayer had been left at the scene.

Mr Nicò and Miss Pinotti had been enjoying a touring holiday in Scotland when the accident happened at around 1.10pm on the Saturday.

Mr Nico worked for electrical manufacturers Whirlpool SPA in Varese and Miss Pinotti was an office worker at the justice department in Gavirate.

The couple had two sons, both 18 years old, from previous relationships.

Mr Nico was an enthusiastic biker and had travelled around Europe with Miss Pinotti and his friends.

He created his own website to display pictures of the journeys he had been on since 2005, called www.emanuelenico.com

The funerals are expected to take place in Gavirate on Friday.

Those paying their respects will be asked not to buy flowers but to donate money to the charity Amare which works with the poor in Africa.

Yesterday Chief Inspector Matthew Reiss said that local officers and support staff very much appreciated the message sent by the friends of the Italian couple.

He said: “We are always very encouraged when letters of thanks like this are received.

“We sometimes deal with people in tragic circumstances and it makes it a little easier when messages like this are received.”

Enquiries into the accident by the road police unit at Dingwall are continuing.