Tributes have been paid to an 84-year-old grandfather who died alongside a 20-year-old man in a three-car crash in West Lothian during Storm Boelo.
Jim McCollum was driving a blue Peugeot 208 on the B708 Lower Bathville road in Bathgate at around 12.15pm on Sunday October 25 when his vehicle collided with a white BMW and a blue Citroen Saxo.
Paramedics and emergency services attended the scene, where McCollum and the BMW driver, 20-year-old Arran Callander, were pronounced dead. A 19-year-old male passenger in the BMW was taken to hospital for treatment, while the Citroen occupants, a 20-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman, were assessed by paramedics at the scene.
Family tributes
In a statement released by Police Scotland, McCollum's family said: "Jim was a gentle and loving husband, father and grandfather and will be deeply missed by his heartbroken family. The family wishes to thank the emergency services who attended the scene of the crash."
Callander's sister, Angela, led tributes to the young man, describing him as "one of a kind". She said: "You will be so missed by so many. It's not sunk in. I want to see you again. It's like I'm dreaming. Thinking of everyone affected by the crash, Love you so much, forever and always. Fly high."
Friends also paid tribute on social media. Amelie Johansen wrote: "I'm never going to get my head around this. My longest friend. The memories we’ve shared along with all the laughs we’ve had will always be at the front of my mind. I'll never forget your one liners. You had everyone laughing. You really were one of a kind, Arran. None of this feels real and I don't think it ever will."
Katie Cummings added: "Thoughts to Arran's family. He was always lovely when he came into my work." Ashley Forrest shared: "Heartbreaking for all involved, thinking of A and his family. Such a lovely young man." Lauren Cawley said: "Lost for words. Rest easy, Arran. Absolutely gutted".
Crash investigation
The crash happened while an amber weather warning for Storm Boelo was in place until Sunday evening across most of Scotland. Images from the scene showed a large cordon as officers examined the site, and the road was closed to allow crash investigation work.
Sergeant Dave Waddell, of the Road Policing Unit, said: "Our thoughts remain with families and friends of the two men who have died, at this difficult time. We are continuing to appeal for information and would ask anyone who witnessed the crash or may have dash-cam footage which could assist, to contact us as soon as possible."
Anyone with information should call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 1770 of 25 October, 2026.
