Boy, 5, dies after dad's car ploughs into stray cow

May 11 2008 By David Taylor

A BOY of five died yesterday after his father's car hit a cow.

The youngster - who has not yet been named - was killed when the Volkswagen Golf he was in struck the animal, which had wandered on to the road.

The boy was rushed to hospital but died a short time later.

His 41-year-old father, who was driving, was also taken to hospital and was treated for minor injuries.

The tragedy happened on a notorious stretch of the A73 in Newmains, Wishaw, around 3.50am.

Residents have been calling for a reduction in the speed limit for years.

Scott McGeary, 35, who lives opposite the scene, said: "A number of people, including myself, have had cars written off on this part of road.

"People don't realise there are turn-offs and a blind summit."

The area was closed for around eight hours while police investigated.

Scaffolding estimator Scott said: "I realised something had happened when I looked out the window this morning. The road was so quiet and then I saw the car with the cow on top of the front. These animals can weigh up to a ton.

"People round here have been calling for something to be done about the speed on this road for years.

"The police have always said it would be impossible to enforce a lower speed limit.

"If a cow wanders on to the road, no driver stands a chance of avoiding it."

Meanwhile, two other people died in separate accidents on Scotland's roads.

A motorcyclist was killed when his bike was involved in a collision with a truck on the A82, near Loch Lomond Holiday Park, Argyll.

The biker was pronounced dead at the scene but the 31-year-old lorry driver was unhurt.

And in Tayside, a man died when a Land Rover crashed on the A923 road between Coupar Angus to Blairgowrie, at the Bendochy crossroads.

Two people from the vehicle were taken to hospital for treatment after the Friday evening crash.

Their names will not be revealed until relatives had been informed.

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