A 77-year-old man who died in a car crash on a major Scots road has been formally identified. 

Police today revealed that the victim of a fatal crash was former Scottish Police authority Chairman, Vic Emery.

The fatal incident took place on the A74(M) near Ecclefechan at around 2.20pm on Saturday, police said.

A BMW X3 car was involved in the one-vehicle incident, which led to the road being closed for 10 hours, and Mr Emery was pronounced dead on the scene. 

READ MORE: Pensioner dies after crash that closed busy Scots motorway for 10 hours

Tributes have now started to pour in for the ex-cop. 

Chief Constable Iain Livingstone paid tribute to the 77-year-old said he was 'highly respected' and significant in shaping policing in Scotland.

He said: “I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Vic Emery. My thoughts and those of everyone at Police Scotland are with his family and friends at this tragic time.

“He was highly respected for his public service where he played a significant role in shaping policing in Scotland as we know it today, both as chairman of the Scottish Police Services Authority and as first chair of the Scottish Police Authority.”

Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s First Minister, paid tribute to him on Monday.

“I first got to know Vic when he ran Govan shipyard and since then our paths have crossed regularly through his public sector roles. I held him in very high regard and liked him a lot. My deepest condolences go to his loved ones,” she said on Twitter.

As well as being the first chairman of the country’s police authority, he also played a major role in bringing the Edinburgh Trams Project back on track, and was chairman of Zero Waste Scotland. He also had a series of high profile private sector positions.

A statement on behalf of the family, issued through Police Scotland, said: “It is with great sadness that the family announce that Vic Emery, a cherished husband, devoted father and grandfather and respected businessman passed away Saturday, December 18, 2021.

“His wife, Dianne, and daughters, Lucy, Juliet and Victoria and three beloved grandchildren are utterly devastated, their hearts shattered, and request privacy at this time.”

A spokesman for the Scottish Police Authority said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Vic Emery.

“Vic was the first Chair of the Scottish Police Authority and he made a significant and lasting contribution in the early years of police reform. Our thoughts are very much with his family and friends at this time.”

Officers are still appealing for witnesses to the crash, which happened at about 2.20pm on Saturday.

Inspector Andrew Thomson, of the road policing division, urged anyone who was driving on the road and saw the crash to contact Police Scotland.

“I would be keen to hear from drivers who have dashcam footage, but I am particularly keen to speak with the driver of a white Luton style box van which was seen in the area at the time,” he said.

Officers said anyone with more information should contact them on 101, quoting incident number 1992.