A vulnerable Highland man who died after being struck by a car at a busy city junction had just gone out for a packet of biscuits.
Andrew Buchanan, who lived in a sheltered housing complex in Inverness, was injured in the accident on Saturday, March 4.
But yesterday, it emerged that the 46-year-old died in hospital on Monday – nine days after the collision.
The tragedy has prompted a community councillor who previously registered concerns about the junction to demand immediate action to improve safety measures at the crossroads.
Several passers-by reportedly rushed to Mr Buchanan’s aid on the night of the accident, one of them was thought to be an off-duty nurse. They administered CPR to keep him alive.
The accident, involving a black Seat Altea car, happened shortly after 6pm on March 4 at the Kenneth Street-Tomnahurich Street crossroads.
Police confirmed yesterday that Mr Buchanan had died in hospital and that a report had been submitted to the procurator fiscal.
The junction is a cross-over between the A82 Inverness-Fort William trunk road and the city centre route that crosses the River Ness which is the council’s responsibility.
News of the tragedy has shocked residents and staff at the Key Housing Association complex in the city’s Montague Row where Mr Buchanan lived.
No-one was available for comment there yesterday.
But it is understood Mr Buchanan, who lived alone, had gone out to a local shop to buy some biscuits.
His death prompted a call from a local councillor for additional pedestrian-safety improvements at the junction.
Richie Paxton, chairman of Park Community Council, had earlier suggested clearer markings, describing the location as a “ghost junction.”
Speaking yesterday, he said: “A fatal accident is something that we never, ever want to happen. This has to be addressed, immediately.
“Action has to be taken now – not next week, or the week or month after.”
A spokeswoman for Transport Scotland said: “Our sympathies are with family and friends at this time.
“We’ve been liaising with Police Scotland to understand the circumstances of the accident and we understand that the road layout was not a contributory factor.
“As part of standard policy we meet with the police and the road operating company at the location to obtain more detailed information.”
She added: “We’re currently undertaking a road safety study on the A82 trunk road between the Longman roundabout and the Tomnahurich swingbridge in Inverness.
“This will look at active travel provision along the A82 trunk road at these locations, set in the context of the wider Inverness city active travel network.
“We’ve already started engaging with stakeholders as part of this study which will be completed in the next financial year.”
In the wake of the crash police had closed the junction for some hours to investigate the accident.
