Forfar Athletic manager has told how the crash which almost killed him was caused by another car with its headlights off.
The former defender was travelling with his assistant Barry Sellars when the pair collided with another vehicle on the M9.
Jim, 50, was overtaking a lorry when the accident happened at 9pm on September 16.
He managed to swerve and avoid a head-on – quick thinking which may have saved their lives.
Ex-St Johnstone player Jim said: “I’m a careful driver and was doing about 65mph. I went to overtake a lorry and, as I passed, he was flashing frantically and blowing his horn.
“I don’t know if it was because he was higher up and saw it coming.
“I was looking in my rear-view mirror. Barry said, ‘I think he’s just flashing to let you back in’.
“And just as I came back to look through my windscreen, the car was there. I don’t think he had his main beam on – I think it was just his sidelights.
“I swerved to my left so my side took most of the impact. Barry thinks that saved our lives. The impact sent us into a series of spins which, in a way, probably helped rather than the car rolling, which could have been fatal.
“Barry got out of the car first.
"I couldn’t get out of my side. I was in pain all through my shoulder and neck. When I got out, I looked back and the scene was quite horrible.”
Jim’s Volkswagen Passat has been left a write-off. He was travelling home to Perth after a club training session at Stenhousemuir when the drama happened.
The League One boss and Barry, 43, were rushed to Forth Valley Royal Hospital. They were released after treatment for minor injuries.
Jim added: “I didn’t speak to the other driver but I heard he was OK. I’m just thankful he’s not seriously hurt.”
Jim spent the week off work with severe whiplash, which disrupted Forfar’s preparations for yesterday’s 2-0 win over Montrose.
Police Scotland said: “The 79-year-old male driver of a Suzuki Jimny is to be reported in connection with road traffic offences.”
