A pensioner found dead two days after his car crashed in the Highlands was a well-respected retired consultant radiologist, it has emerged.
John Winton McNab – who went by Winton – was reported missing from his hometown of Perth on September 16.
He was found dead in his grey Mercedes B-Class on the A887 Invermoriston road, near Fort Augustus, two days later.
However, it has since emerged the car’s onboard crash detection system went off on the day Mr McNab went missing, automatically sending a 999 alert to police.
Officers were sent to the scene, but failed to find the 86-year-old or his vehicle.
An investigation has now been launched by the Police Investigations and Reviews Commissioner (Pirc).
‘A character, a really lovely man’
Keen hillwalker Mr McNab was married to Patricia. It is understood the couple did not have any children, but doted on their spaniel.
News of the tragedy has shocked those who knew Mr McNab, who had a long, successful career – resulting in his election to the Royal College of Surgeons.
Originally from Banff, Mr McNab graduated in medicine from Aberdeen University in 1967.
In the years that followed, he held a number of posts in hospitals in the north of Scotland, including the Gilbert Bain in Lerwick. He achieved a diploma in medical radio diagnosis in 1975 after his focus moved to radiology and neuroradiology.
In 1977 he took what was to be his final job title as a consultant radiologist in Dundee. There, he worked closely with colleagues in neurosurgery, neurology and neurophysiology and contributed significantly to the development of a radiological support service.
One former colleague said Mr McNab had been particularly interested in neuro radiology, and did a lot of work at both Dundee Royal Infirmary and Ninewells Hospital.
“I really know him his work as a vascular and neurosurgical radiologist, and he was really good,” she said.
“He was fine to work with and I got on great with him.
“He was quite a character and had a strong personality, a really lovely man.
“He was a keen hill walker and he loved dogs. If you were working with him in places where you could chat, he was always telling us what hills he’d been up lately and what him and his dog were getting up to.”
‘A really kind gentleman’
Mr McNab’s was elected as a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh and of the Faculty of Radiologists of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in 1973 and 1978 respectively.
He also visited radiological centres in Stockholm after being awarded a travelling scholarship from the British Institute of Radiology.
It is understood Mr McNab retired in 1997.
Former colleagues, patients and those in Perth who knew him commented on social media posts announcing Mr McNab’s death.
John McBeath wrote: “Winton was a consultant radiologist at DRI during my time there. He was a great character.”
Marjory Greenhill, who had been treated by Mr McNab, wrote: “He was a really kind gentleman.”
Davie Buick posted: “An absolute gent, RIP Winton.”
Carol Swan wrote: “So sad… he was a lovely man a true gentleman. Thinking of all the family.”
In a statement after Mr McNab’s body was found, his loved ones said: “We would like to thank everyone involved in the search to trace Winton, these efforts are greatly appreciated by the family.”
Investigation ongoing
Mr McNab’s body was found at about 1.20pm on Sunday, September 18 near Invermoriston – about 120 miles from his home in Perth.
It is not yet known whether he would have died instantly or whether he survived the crash and died later as a result of his injuries.
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) ordered a probe into Police Scotland’s handling of the incident, and referred it to Pirc.
A Pirc spokeswoman said: “We are investigating the circumstances around the death of a 86-year-old man near Inverness under the instruction of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.”
A police spokesman said: “The matter has been referred to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner and it would therefore be inappropriate to comment further.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat deputy leader and former police officer Wendy Chamberlain today said it was important the circumstances around the tragedy were fully investigated.
She said: “This news is extremely saddening. I want to extend my condolences and support to Mr McNab’s family. It is vital that we continue to let the police carry out a full investigation into this case.”
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