Taxi Driver Online

Taxi driver dies in Barrhead crash caused by danger driver with seven previous convictions

A taxi driver died after his car was hit head on by a speeding driver.

Edward Cullen's motor was struck by Scott Gilligan, 35, on the A736, Barrhead, his vehicle then collided with pedestrian Margaret Mansell, propelling her into the air. The 60-year-old widow landed in a hedge and suffered serious injuries including fractured ribs as well as kidney damage.

Mr Cullen, 55 had only returned to work when the tragedy unfolded in June 2021, having suffered a heart attack in the previous October. The married dad died from his chest injuries in September of the same year, with heart disease being a potential contributing cause.

Gilligan pled guilty at the High Court in Glasgow to causing serious injury and death by dangerous driving. The Paisley man also admitted today to driving without insurance for the vehicle.

Mr Cullen's wife Margaret stated: "Eddie was my future and I cannot see a future now. [Gilligan] has taken all my future memories and happiness away. I will never be the same person."

The court heard Mr Cullen was driving his Skoda Octavia cab normally and within the speed limit at the time. Miss Mansell was walking on the pavement as part of her regular routine.

Prosecutor Margaret Barron said: "Witnesses behind Mr Cullen's car saw Gilligan's vehicle enter their lane at a bend on the road. He drove at speed, before colliding head on with Mr Cullen's vehicle.

"The collision caused Mr Cullen's vehicle to strike Miss Mansell. She propelled over or through a hedge into the adjacent field out of view of the road.

"She cannot recall being struck but rather suddenly finding herself looking up at the sky from an adjacent bit of grass land."

Emergency services were attended and pulled Miss Mansell out of the hedge before being taken to hospital.

Mr Cullen meantime was found trapped inside the driver's seat of the taxi - he was conscious and breathing. He was unable to remove himself due to his injuries and damage to the vehicle.

Mr Cullen was able to tell police that he was in pain and that he had "not long started back" work following a heart operation. Gilligan was described as being confused at the scene and asked what had happened.

He provided a negative sample for alcohol and drugs in his system. An investigation determined that Gilligan had driven at 69 miles per hour and straddled the white lines before the collision.

No defects were found in either the Vauxhall Insignia Gilligan has driven or Mr Cullen's taxi.

Miss Mansell suffered a number of injuries including splenic bruising, tissue damage to the left kidney, a collapsed lung as well as a fractured forearm and ribs. Her right kidney no longer functions and she will require to visit her GP twice a year for monitoring. The hearing was also told that her daily life has been affected by her injuries and still experiences pain.

Mr Cullen sustained fractures to his breast bone, ribs, lower back and right foot. He also suffered a damaged spleen and a neck bone break.

Miss Barron added: "He had ongoing issues with ICU acquired weakness and also had marked evidence of ongoing respiratory disease following prolonged ventilation and numerous ventilator associated pneumonia episodes.

"He always remained weak despite best attempts at physiotherapy and feeding."

After three months, Mr Cullen's condition deteriorated and further invasive ventilation was decided against. He passed away in hospital on September 10 with his family at his bedside.

His cause of death was primarily determined as "complications from chest injuries due to road traffic collision." A potential contributing cause was "ischaemic heart disease."

It was revealed Gilligan has seven previous convictions including a number of road traffic matters. Robert Mitchell, defending, said: "He is aware a custodial sentence is inevitable now."

Sentence was deferred pending background reports by Judge Lady Stacey until next month who remanded Gilligan in custody meantime. She said: "I'm sure you know your dangerous driving that day had catastrophic consequences.

"You yourself were injured but the catastrophe is Mr Cullen died and Miss Mansell was very seriously injured. That has consequences for the two families in future - it is a very serious crime and as your lawyer advised a custodial sentence is inevitable."

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IDFIMH

Anyone with a similar mindset to me would immediately wonder what time of day this happened, and would assume it was late night (apart from the 60-year-old pedestrian on the pavement).

In fact reports at the time of the accident state it happened at 11am, so my presumption was wrong


Of course, as per usual this begs the obvious question about something else that's not stated in the article - what the speed limit actually was. A bit different doing 69 in a 30 rather than 60 zone.

Couldn't find the exact location, but I'd guess from a few photos etc that it was a 40 zone.

Looks like one of these A-roads but in an urbanish sort of area (hence the ped on the pavement), so probably not a 30, but probably not a 60 either.

don't forget the default is 30 unless signage indicates otherwise.

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Saw some photos or whatever yesterday, and saw a 40mph sign, but not clear precisely where it happened.

Had another look today, and according to the Police Scotland news release at the time, it happened on "the A736, Glasgow Road, just south of its junction with Hurlet Road."

This is the Streetview just south of that junction, which clearly shows a 40 sign. It's at least half a mile or so till it changes to a 30.

So I'd guess it was a 40 zone, or maybe a 30 if it was at least half a mile or so from the junction mentioned.

But definitely not a 60, unless I'm missing something big

https://www.google.com/maps/@55.818402, ... ?entry=ttu

For what it's worth, reason I didn't post that yesterday was because it didn't seem very taxi-ish, as opposed to the deceased just happening to be a taxi driver.

On the other hand, if it had happened at 1am, it would have appeared to me to be more taxi-ish. Of course, the same argument about the driver just happening to be a taxi driver could still be made, but the preponderance of taxi drivers and headbanger drivers at that time of night always makes me think taxi drivers are in more danger of this kind of thing in the late evening/early hours

Speeding motorist who killed taxi driver in head-on crash is jailed

A SPEEDING motorist who killed a taxi driver in a head-on crash near Barrhead has been jailed for seven and a half years.

Scott Gilligan also had no insurance when he got behind the wheel of a Vauxhall Insignia to collect a prescription at a chemist on June 14, 2021.

The 35-year-old, of Paisley, went onto the wrong side of the road at a bend before hitting a Skoda Octavia driven by Edward Cullen.

This also resulted in Margaret Mansell - who had been out on her daily walk - being flung into a hedge.

Mr Cullen - known as Eddie - tragically passed away in hospital three months after the collision on the A736 Glasgow Road, near Barrhead.

The much-loved 55-year-old had only recently returned to his private hire taxi job having survived a heart attack.

Miss Mansell, 60, meantime was also left badly hurt after being struck.

Gilligan was today sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow.

He had pleaded guilty last month to causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving.

Lady Stacey told him he had been witnessed driving "at speed, aggressively and erratically" that day.

The judge added: "Mr Cullen lost his life - there is nothing I can say or do which will take away the grief his family has felt and will continue to feel."

Lady Stacey added Miss Mansell has also "been left feeling not the woman she once was".

Gilligan - who already had previous road traffic convictions - was banned from driving for a total of nine years and nine months.

Prosecutor Margaret Barron told the earlier hearing: "Witnesses behind Mr Cullen's car saw Gilligan's vehicle enter their lane at a bend on the road.

"He drove at speed, before colliding head-on with Mr Cullen's vehicle.

"The collision caused Mr Cullen's vehicle to strike Miss Mansell.

"She was propelled over or through a hedge into the adjacent field out of view of the road.

"She cannot recall being struck but rather suddenly finding herself looking up at the sky from an adjacent bit of grassland."

Miss Mansell tried to call her son, but could not find her phone.

Mercy crews arrived and it was Mr Cullen, who, despite being trapped in his car, alerted them that she was lying stricken in a field.

Both the victims were rescued and rushed to hospital.

Mr Cullen was found to have suffered "multiple complex chest injuries".

He was initially in intensive care before receiving physiotherapy and rehabilitation.

But, the court heard he "remained weak" and sadly passed away on September 10, 2021.

The previous heart issue may have "potentially contributed" to the death.

Miss Barron said Mr Cullen's wife Margaret was left "devastated".

The advocate depute said: "She has been unable to socialise and feels like a recluse.

"She stated: 'Eddie was my future and I cannot see a future now. He (Gilligan) has taken all my future memories and happiness away. I will never be the same person'."

Miss Mansell suffered fractures, a collapsed lung as well as spleen and kidney injuries, which needed "significant treatment".

The grandmother - who had good health and an active social life - still remains badly affected by her ordeal.

The court was told Gilligan was found to have been driving at 69mph in a 40mph zone that day and had been seen trying to overtake a small van before the fatal crash.

He also needed hospital treatment following the incident.

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IDFIMH

40mph limit will have repeater signs every 200 yards

As Edders notes, street lighting = 30mph, repeater signs are not permitted on restricted roads

Correct unless there is not a system of street lighting, in which case 30 repeaters must be provided.