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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
Gemma Ryder

'Gentle giant' Cumbernauld grandad killed in holiday motorbike horror

A Cumbernauld grandad has died in a horrific motorbike crash while holidaying with friends.

Duncan Cameron's bike collided with a black BMW near Aberystwyth on the coast of Wales on Friday, leaving his family heartbroken.

The 62-year-old's daughter Hollie spoke of her heartbreak at learning of the tragedy from Police Scotland, the Daily Record reports.

She said: "It's a distressing time for us and we just want him home.

"Everybody keeps asking us how we are but it's hard to say.

"Without being able to see him makes things hard.

"A post-mortem will take place in Wales and only after that will an undertaker be able to bring him to Scotland.

"I think it could take weeks.

"We don't know when we will get his personal possessions back."

Hollie, 31 and her brothers, Robert, 26, and Scott, 34, have been overwhelmed by touching messages of support from the community.

She added: "So many people have paid tribute to him and said he was a 'big, gentle giant'. He was 6ft and very broad, so he was definitely noticed in the local community."

Duncan spent most of his life in Cumbernauld but in recent years had lived with his partner Valerie in Coatbridge.

He dedicated years of his life working for North Lanarkshire Council as a lifeguard but his huge passion was motorbikes - a hobby that had lasted a lifetime.

Hollie, who is the chair of the Kelvin Labour Party, added: "He taught many people in Cumbernauld how to swim and loved his job, so he was very well-known and liked around the town.

"He loved his motorbikes. He met my mum through their shared interest in bikes and my brother also took a keen liking to them so it is definitely a family thing.

"Just on Friday morning he posted a photo on social media of his tour on the road in Wales.

"He made a lot of friends through it and it's a close-knit community so we've also had a lot of kind messages from bikers too."

Duncan was also a well-loved grandad to four-year-old Alyssa and one-year-old Aurelia.

Hollie added: "He was a very proud granddad and my nieces loved spending time with him, especially reading stories with them.

"They're not sure what's going on and they're wondering why everyone's sad.

"I wish I could speak to him but we can all be glad of the time we had with him.

"I have a lot of happy memories with my dad in childhood, he was a lot of fun and a big kid at heart."

Many of Hollie's political colleagues also passed on their condolences following her dad's tragic death.

Anas Sarwar, the leader of Scottish Labour, said: "I'm so sorry to hear of your loss, Hollie. Please take care. Thoughts with you and the family."

Monica Lennon, Central Scotland MSP for Labour, added: "Oh, Hollie. Sending you all my love. Deeply sorry for your loss. We are all here for you."

And SNP MP for Airdrie and Shotts, Anum Qaisar, said: "I'm so sorry for your loss Holly, sending you lots of love."

A spokesperson said: "Tragically, the 62-year-old male rider of the motorcycle sustained fatal injuries and passed away at the scene. The driver of the BMW is helping us with our enquiries."

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