A PENSIONER has died after she was seriously injured in a horror accident in the car park at a popular garden centre.

Margaret Byres, 80, was rushed to hospital after she crashed her car into a tree outside the Dobbies Garden Centre, in Hawkhead Road, Paisley.

She suffered a serious leg injury and underwent surgery at the town’s Royal Alexandra Hospital but her condition deteriorated and she lost her fight for life.

In a double tragedy, police confirmed last night that a Paisley man who was seriously hurt in a motorcycle accident 10 days ago has also died.

Gerard Brown, 45, had been fighting for life at the RAH after suffering multiple injuries when he crashed his bike on the M8 motorway, near to Glasgow Airport, on April 17.

The accident involving Mrs Byres took place in the Dobbies car park last Thursday.

She regularly visited the garden centre to pick up supplies and meet friends but the alarm was raised at around 5.15pm that day after her car smashed into a tree at the edge of the car park.

Paramedics treated her injury at the scene before rushing her to the RAH.

Sadly, Mrs Byres, who was from the Paisley area, died in hospital on Sunday – three days after the accident – leaving her friends and family devastated.

Police have said their investigation into the accident is continuing.

Yesterday, Mrs Byres’ car had been removed from the scene but the damage to the tree was still clearly visible.

One friend, who asked not to be named, told the Paisley Daily Express: “It’s hard to believe that Margaret has gone.

“I don’t know how the accident happened but I was told she had suffered a nasty leg injury. Even so, I was horrified to find out she had died. I just didn’t expect to hear such sad news.”

No-one was available for comment at Dobbies Garden Centre yesterday.

Meanwhile, it’s understood that a post mortem examination is being arranged to establish the cause of Mr Brown’s death.

The keen biker, from the Gallowhill area of Paisley, had been travelling eastbound between Erskine and the St James Interchange when he lost control of his red Kawasaki machine.

The motorcycle then struck the central barrier before sliding to a halt.

Police have said the incident did not involve any other vehicle.

Mr Brown was taken to the RAH for urgent treatment but, tragically, he lost his fight for life on Saturday.

A report is being sent to the procurator fiscal.

Police have asked anyone who has information about the accidents involving Mrs Byres or Mr Brown to call their traffic department on 0141 532 6400.