Scottish Catholic Observer

Great-grandparents Bob and Rose Simpson died just hours apart after being knocked down as they crossed the road at 9.15 on Saturday morning.

Bob, 87, was killed instantly and Rose, 84, was fatally injured. She died later in hospital. They had been married for 66 years.

Parish priest Fr Eamon Flynn said the church community and the town were in shock.

“It’s just dreadfully tragic,” Fr Flynn said. “They had been in the parish for many years, our thoughts and prayers are with the family.”

The priest said he did not know if the couple had been walking to Mass when the accident happened.

“I don’t know that,” he said. “But they did come to Mass often, they were good practising Catholics who were committed to the Church.”

A 34-year-old woman, who was driving the sports car, which hit the couple, was not injured in the accident but was taken to Inverclyde Hospital in Greenock as a precaution.

A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal. A police spokeswoman said they were appealing for witnesses to the accident to come forward to help with the investigation.