Laurence Dollimore
A BRITISH expat has died after being run off the road by a driver in Spain and suffering catastrophic injuries.
Robert Paterson, a father-of-three and keen scuba diver, had been in hospital for months since the crash in Alicante in November last year.
He suffered extensive injuries, including multiple bleeds on the brain, hip and spinal fractures.
It is believed the man who allegedly caused the crash is now facing manslaughter charges.
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Fellow Brits had started a GoFundMe page to help Robert’s family, who have lived in Spain for 20 years, cover the costs of his rehabilitation.
However a friend told the Olive Press last night that Robert, affectionately known as Bert, tragically passed away last week.
He said: “Bert was a former colleague at Scottish Television in Glasgow… He was one of this world’s real good guys and will be much missed.”
He added that the person behind the accident is now being investigated for manslaughter.
Another friend, Kevin Beaumont, told the Olive Press today: “Bert will be sadly missed, he was taken from us far too soon. It’s such a tragic loss.”
In the original GoFundMe, close friend David Jeffries described the horror accident.
He wrote: “On November 22 2023, at approximately 7pm, Bert Paterson was involved in a near fatal car accident.
“Another driver was tailgating him and as Bert indicated to pull over, the other driver accelerated to undertake the car and in the process hit the back of the car sending it into an uncontrolled state when it wrapped around a very large lamp post bringing it down. His car was a Renault Megane.
“The other driver did not stop immediately but did eventually pull over further down the road. Two witnesses corroborated that this is what happened. The Guardia Civil took over the investigation as a suspected ‘Road Rage Incident’.
“Bert was cut out of the car and as soon as he was stabilised, he was transported to Accident & Emergency at Elche General University Hospital. He suffered multiple facial fractures, three brain bleeds, a fractured hip, two spinal fractures and both lungs were bleeding. He was in ICU for 17 days and then transferred to a Neurosurgical ward.
“On January 23 2024 he was transferred to a Rehabilitation Centre called Casaverde in Mutxamel, Alicante. By the time he was transferred to Casaverde, Bert was not in a good state mentally. For nine weeks he had been restrained in bed with virtually no physio or stimulation for his brain.”
David added: “Prior to the accident, Bert was leading a full life. He is a loving Dad to 3 children, and Papa to 4 grandchildren and has been married to Lynn for 35 years.
“He is an extremely experienced scuba diver, an avid follower of Formula 1, a keen gardener and loves the Spanish way of life having lived here for nearly 20 years.”
