A Montrose father has thanked the Good Samaritans who rushed to his assistance after he was injured at a pedestrian crossing while carrying his two-month-old baby.
Calum MacInnes, 30, of India Street, was left badly bruised after being involved in a collision with a car at the busy crossing at the top of Hume Street.
He was found clutching his infant, Lachlann, on the crossing by passing motorists and pedestrians.
He said: “Lachlann was cocooned in a sling but I knew I had to protect him as much as possible.
“Unfortunately, my right leg was trailing a bit. I have got a bit of spinal damage as a pre-existing condition and it got the full force.
“I instinctively held on to Lachlann when I hit off the bonnet and bounced off the car.
“I had my arms around him to protect him. He had been sleeping and screamed a little but then calmed down.
“There were a few people around who helped. I am really grateful for that. I would like to have the opportunity to thank them.”
After the Friday incident, Calum and Lachlann were checked by Scottish ambulance personnel before being taken home, and went to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee on Saturday for further checks.
Calum suffered bruising down his arm and leg and tissue damage in his right knee.
Among the first on the scene was Scott Hutcheson from Montrose, who abandoned his car to rush to offer assistance while another pedestrian called the emergency services.
Mr Hutcheson said: “I was coming out at the junction and the crossing was on my left.
“I saw a man lying on the crossing and thought perhaps he was a diabetic or was drunk.
“I then realised he had a baby on his chest so I abandoned my car with the hazard lights going to see if I could help.
“We checked the man out and, on his own admission, only his leg and arm were sore, sprained he said.
“He had made every effort to protect the baby and did a wonderful job.
“Fortunately the baby seemed completely okay, thanks to the dad protecting him as he was flung in the air.
“The man suffered injuries to his leg and arm. This could have been a fatality.”
Mr Hutcheson and another male took Calum and Lachlann off the road, made Calum comfortable and made sure his son was unharmed and warm.
Montrose and district Independent Angus councillor Tommy Stewart has said there have been a number of “near misses” at the pedestrian crossing.
He said: “I’ve never liked that crossing, it was always better when it was a junction to stop the traffic coming up Hume Street.
“Obviously the roads department decided at the time a crossing was the best thing but I have always had reservations about it.
“It is hazardous, more so for vehicles coming from the High Street turning down into Hume Street. You have to have your wits about you.
“I’m just glad this wasn’t worst, especially when there is a wee one involved, but it could have been anybody.”
A Police Scotland spokesman confirmed they attended a road traffic collision at 6.15pm on Friday evening.
A driver was traced and charged in connection with the incident and a report will go to the procurator fiscal.
