NHS Lothian today paid tribute to much loved and well respected colleague, James Harrison, 36, who died following a collision on Thursday morning between the bike he was riding and a Mercedes Sprinter van.
Professor Alex McMahon, Executive Director of Nursing , Midwifery and Allied Healthcare Professionals, NHS Lothian said, “It is with great sadness that we learned of the death of our colleague James Harrison. James was a much loved and well respected member of the NHS Lothian team working as a lead Research Nurse in Cardiology.
“In recent months, James volunteered in our Intensive Care Unit to support the COVID-19 response, demonstrating his enduring commitment, compassion and determination to support both patients and staff.
“James will be truly missed by all the colleagues he worked alongside, and by the wider research community here in Lothian and across Scotland.
“From everyone at NHS Lothian, we offer our heartfelt condolences to the Harrison family. Our thoughts are with James’s wife and two young children at this truly difficult time.”
NHS Lothian confirmed it was working closely with staff to ensure that support was available for those who had been impacted by the news.
James was also an official with Scottish Athletics. The organisation posted on Facebook: “All at Scottish Athletics were shocked and saddened to learn of a tragic bike accident in Edinburgh which led to one our Officials, James Harrison, being killed.
The incident happened early on Thursday.
Corstorphine AAC athlete and team manager, James was one of our up-and-coming Start Team members and his mother, Annette, is another member of that team.
We send our deepest condolences to his wife, Dr Rowan Harrison, their two young children and all the rest of the family as well as his friends in athletics and beyond.”
Police Scotland confirmed that the 36-year-old sadly died following the crash on Mount Vernon Road, at around 8.45am on Thursday, 25 June, 2020.
The incident happened at the crossroads junction with Gilmerton Road and Kingston Avenue, involving a Mercedes Sprinter van and the male cyclist.
The driver of the van was not injured in the collision.
Sergeant Jennifer Forbes, of Edinburgh’s Road Policing Unit, said: “Our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of the deceased at this terrible time”.
“I’d like to thank those members of the public who have contacted us with information on the collision over the past few days and continue to appeal for any other witnesses to come forward, particularly if you have possible dashcam footage of the incident itself or either the vehicle or the cyclist in the area shortly beforehand.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police on 101, quoting incident number 1312 of 26 June.
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