A north-east policeman whose wife is expecting their third child has been killed in a horrific road accident in front of his father.
Last night, the heartbroken family of Ian Smollet, who was off duty at the time, said he would be sorely missed by all who knew him.
The detective constable, who was brought up in the north-east, died on the M8 motorway near Edinburgh after a lorry struck him.
The 35-year-old, who worked for the Lothians and Scottish Borders division of Police Scotland, stepped out of a vehicle on to the hard shoulder and was knocked down by a Leyland Daf lorry.
He was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary but died from his injuries.
He and wife, Laura, have two daughters – five-year-old Zoe and three-year- old Isla – and were expecting their third child together.
The couple, both formerly from Ellon, were married at King’s College Chapel in Aberdeen in 2009.
Speaking from his home in the Aberdeenshire town – where his parents, William and Isabella, also live – Mr Smollet’s elder brother Kevin said he had been a “fun-loving person”.
He said his father had been travelling with his brother at the time of the accident, which happened on the westbound carriageway of the M8, near junction 2, about 3.40pm on Thursday.
“My father was in the car with him at the time of the accident and Ian pulled over because he was feeling unwell,” he said.
“He got out of the car to get some fresh air.”
The road was closed for about five hours and the Edinburgh city bypass and Hermiston Gait were affected by long delays.
Mr Smollet and his wife and daughters had been living in Livingston, West Lothian.
His brother said his death would leave a huge gap in the lives of his loved ones.
“He was a fun-loving person and loved his kids,” said Mr Smollet.
“He also loved his job.
“He will be sorely missed by every one of his friends and his family.”
Mr Smollet’s police colleagues offered their sympathies to his family, and appealed for information on the accident.
Chief Superintendent Gill Imery said: “It is with the deepest regret I can confirm that Detective Constable Ian Smollet, who served in the Lothians and Scottish Borders division, has died following Thursday’s collision on the M8.
“Our sympathies are with his family, friends and colleagues at this very difficult time. Road policing officers are continuing their investigation and I would urge any members of the public who witnessed the collision, or who believe they can assist with this inquiry, to contact police immediately.”