Carers have spoken of their sadness at the death of a long-time client who was struck by a car after popping out for a packet of biscuits.
Andrew Buchanan, 46, who died in hospital nine days after the Inverness crash, was “well liked and loved by his family”.
The tragedy has prompted calls for urgent safety improvements at the scene of the accident.
Mr Buchanan, who suffered from learning disabilities, had lived in Key Housing sheltered accommodation in the city for 22 years.
He was described as “very independent.” He had left his flat in Montague Row to head to a local supermarket on March 4 when he was struck at a busy junction.
Passers-by rushed to his aid including a woman who was understood to be an off-duty nurse who administered CPR to keep him alive. He was taken by ambulance to Raigmore but died on Monday this week.
His family, who are arranging a private funeral, declined to speak yesterday.
A spokesman for the Key Housing Association that operates the complex where he lived said: “He was quite a character. He was a very independent man, very well liked and loved by his family.
“We supported him a relatively small amount of hours per week. He had a very happy life in Montague Row. He’ll be deeply missed.”
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP David Stewart MSP echoed a community council plea for action, announcing that he had written to roads agency Transport Scotland to seek the addition of a controlled pedestrian crossing at the spot.
“Glenurquhart Road is part of the main route down the Great Glen and a very busy thoroughfare,” he said. “It’s surprising there have not been more fatalities over the years.
“Although it’s hoped the new West Link will result in some reduction in traffic volume, its many connecting junctions will continue to make crossing Glenurquhart Road potentially hazardous.”
The accident involved a black Seat Altea car at the Kenneth Street-Tomnahurich Street crossroads.
Transport Scotland said on Tuesday that it was liaising with police, adding that it understood the road layout “was not a contributory factor”.
