Young Paisley dad dies in Cumbernauld horror smash

Aug 3 2012 by Andy Newport, Paisley Daily Express

A FAMILY has been left heartbroken after a much-loved Paisley dad was killed in a horrific road smash.

Neil Harold, from Ralston, was one of three men who lost their lives when a pile-up took place at a notorious accident blackspot on Wednesday lunchtime.

The 34-year-old electrical engineer was behind the wheel of his Ford Focus when it collided with a high-powered Mercedes. A Fiat Punto was also caught up in the appalling accident.

Yesterday, Mr Harold’s distraught wife Laura was too upset to comment about the tragedy, which has also robbed him of the chance to see his two-year-old son Ryan growing up.

Neighbours in the upmarket Balfron Road area of Ralston have been stunned by Mr Harold’s death.

One man, who asked not to be named, told the Paisley Daily Express: “This is just shocking news. I can’t quite believe what has happened.

“Neil was such a nice guy and you would often see him out and about with his son.

“My heart really goes out to his family and friends. It’s dreadful that his son will have to grow up without his dad.”

Another neighbbour added: “I knew Neil quite well. He had lived here with his family for a number of years.”

Mr Harold was driving his Ford Focus southbound on the A8011, near Cumbernauld, when a silver Mercedes coming from the opposite direction careered across the central reservation.

The Mercedes slammed into Mr Harold’s car, leaving both vehicles wrecked.

Mr Harold and his work colleague Gordon McRae, who was sitting in the Ford’s passenger seat, both died at the scene.

The driver of the Mercedes – 30-year-old Greig Brown, of Cumbernauld – was also killed.

A 71-year-old man who was driving the Fiat Punto that was also involved in the accident was injured but was able to return home after receiving treatment at Monklands General Hospital, in Airdrie.

The notorious dual carriageway on that section of the A8011 has no barrier and has been branded an accident blackspot by local residents.

Mr Harold was a former pupil at Trinity High School, in Renfrew, and went on to study Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde.

He worked alongside 46-year-old Airdrie man Mr McRae at Cumbernauld-based engineering firm Nallatech.

A police spokesman said: “A report on the accident will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”