Family pay tribute to ‘gentle and loving’ grandfather who died in three-car crash in Bathgate

A tribute has been paid to a “gentle and loving” grandfather who died after a three-car crash in Bathgate.

Emergency services were called to the B708, Lower Bathville road, after a collision involving a white BMW 116D, a blue Citroen Saxo, and a blue Peugeot 208 at around 12.15pm on Sunday.

The driver of the Peugeot, an 84-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene.

He has been named as Jim McCollum, and his family have said he will be “deeply missed” in a tribute.

“Jim was a gentle and loving husband, father and grandfather and will be deeply missed by his heartbroken family”, a statement read.

“The family wishes to thank the emergency services who attended the scene of the crash.”

The driver of the BMW, a 20-year-old man, was also pronounced dead at the scene.

A man, 19, the passenger of the BMW, was taken to hospital, while the occupants of the Citroen, a man, 20, and a woman, 23, were assessed at the scene.

Sergeant Dave Waddell, of the Road Policing Unit, said: “Our thoughts remain with families and friends of the two men who have died, at this difficult time.

“We are continuing to appeal for information and would ask anyone who witnessed the crash or may have dash-cam footage which could assist, to contact us as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information should call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 1770 of October 25, 2026.