‘Doting dad’ (32) killed in motorway accident

Sep 3 2009 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

THE heartbroken family of a doting dad killed in a horror motorway smash this week paid tribute to a ‘gentle giant’.

Former Hamilton Palace steward Paul Cornes died after he lost control of his Vauxhall Vectra on the southbound carriageway of the M74 junction 4 Maryville Interchange on Monday at 2.40am.

Dad-of-one Paul (32) was on his way home from work as a steward at Diamond Dolls in Glasgow when he lost control of the vehicle, it careered off the carriageway and struck a tree.

Paul, who was alone in the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene.

No other vehicle was thought to be involved in the accident.

Paul’s partner, Fiona, and their seven-year-old daughter, Morgan, a primary three pupil at High Blantyre Primary School, have been left shattered by his death.

Fighting back the tears, Fiona told the Advertiser: “I can’t believe it. I keep expecting him to call me.

“Morgan is distraught at her dad’s death.

“We have spoken openly to Morgan about it and she understands.

“She wants to be an astronaut when she grows up so that she go into the stars and meet her father in heaven. He was the best dad ever.”

Paul’s dad, also Paul, mum Josephine and sister Yvonne (30), are also devastated by his death.

Josephine collapsed and had to be taken to hospital after she heard about her son’s death.

She said: “I couldn’t have asked for a better son. Everyone noticed Paul when he was in the room. He was a 6ft 3in bodybuilder. He had that presence.

“He could walk into any room and people noticed Paul right away.

“He had only started his job at the Monkey Bar a few weeks ago and was going to give up because he was working too much.”

Sister Yvonne described Paul as her ‘best pal’ and said she is gutted by his death.

“He was tall, dark, handsome, smiler and a gentle giant all rolled into one,” she added. “I can’t believe he’s gone.

“Everyone liked Paul, he was popular and we are all missing him so much.

“He has 500 friends on his bebo site and they have been leaving tributes.”

Paul was a former pupil of St Blanes Primary in High Blantyre and John Ogilvie High, Burnbank, Hamilton.

He worked as a trucker for Martin Plant Hire in Bellshill and was a steward with Diamond Dolls in Glasgow’s Mitchell Street. He also worked for about nine years as a steward at Hamilton Palace.

Paul was a car enthusiasts and enjoyed going to Knockhill Racing Circuit in Fife.

He also liked to keep fit and was a bodybuilder and took Morgan to the swimming baths at Blantyre Sports Centre.

Dad Paul (55) said: “We don’t know what happened. The police came to our door at 4.30am. We are still waiting for them to get back to us.

“The last we saw Paul was on Sunday when he was over at our house and he took Morgan out for a run in his truck.

“He doted on his daughter and partner Fiona.

“We can’t believe it and words can’t explain how we feel.”

Paul’s aunt, Margaret McGraw, said: “He was a gentle giant and the best dad ever to little Morgan. He was a great guy. I have two sons and Paul was like my third.”

A post-mortem examination will take place tomorrow (Friday) to establish the exact cause of Paul’s death.

Hundreds of people are expected to attend his funeral at St Joseph Church in Blantyre on Monday.

He will be laid to rest at Priestfield Cemetery in High Blantyre.

For further details about the time of Paul’s funeral, please contact Heritage Funeral Services Ltd on 01355 271717.