Family pays tribute to father after van driver pleads guilty to causing fatal road accident

The family of a biker killed in a road traffic accident have paid tribute to their “fantastic father” after a van driver admitted causing his death. 

James Cochrane, 67, was riding his motorcycle near Falkirk when he was struck by a van driven by Kenneth Carty. 

The father-of-two was critically injured and sadly died at the scene on Bellsdyke Road in Larbert in November 2024.  

At Falkirk Sheriff Court today Carty, 60, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

He was bailed and disqualified from driving.

Welcoming the conviction, James’ wife Jackylyn said: “For more than half my life I knew and loved James.

“We travelled the world together, we laughed and shared all of life’s moments including raising our family. 

“He was a fantastic dad to our two daughters and nothing was ever too much bother for him. 

“As a family our grief doesn’t end today and the future we had planned looks very different without James.

“We want to thank everyone for their support and kind words and request our privacy is respected.”

Carty will be sentenced at a future hearing.