Tragic last text of missing dad Jim Richardson found dead on isolated farm after T in the Park
Father-of-three could have been left on roadside by shuttle bus taking revellers home
A FATHER-of-three who died after T in the Park had sent desperate texts to his relatives telling them he was stranded.
Jim Richardson's body was discovered on an isolated farm ten miles from the music festival's site.
And texts sent by the 29-year-old to his family reveal he was left by the roadside when a shuttle bus ferrying festival-goers home let him off for a smoke and drove away with his belongings still on board.
Jim then sent his wife Samantha, 28, a message saying he was left at the side of the A9 near Auchterarder, Perthshire.
At his home in Wishaw, Lanarkshire, a relative confirmed the tragedy. The woman said: “It’s not a missing person appeal any more. We just had a call — it’s bad news.
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“We just found out that he’s dead. That’s all we know.”
Samantha added: “It’s too soon to speak about it.”
Desperate loved ones posted appeals online for sightings after Jim vanished. A search combed the area where he was last seen on Monday.
Samantha wrote: “He texted the road he was on and that was the last anyone heard from him.
“Getting worried now as it is getting dark and cold and don’t know if he even had any money on him to get somewhere to stay.”
A family source added: “We are all just totally shocked.”
Forensic police were last night scouring the area around Wester Cairnie Farm.
Jim was best man at his twin brother Derek’s wedding last Friday before heading to the bash.
He shared a photo of his tickets on Facebook and wrote: “Great week planned — our Derek’s wedding then off to T in the Park for the rest of the weekend.”
Police said Jim’s death is being treated as “unexplained at this time”. T in the Park bosses declined to comment.
Before the tragic news, his wife Samantha had appealed for help tracking down her husband on social media.
She wrote: “Has anyone seen Jim Richardson since leaving T in the park? If you have seen him or are with him now please message me.”
She later said she believed his phone battery was dead as she was unable to contact him.
In a desperate comment, she wrote: “I’m hoping someone has picked him up or he’s got a lift but no idea where he’s gone xx”
She later wrote: “Getting worried now as its getting dark and cold and don’t know if he even had any money on him to get somewhere to stay or a lift anywhere.”
Tributes have since flowed in on social media for the young father, with friends and family saying he was “such a lovely guy”.
The music festival has been plagued by devastating news with two 17-year-olds also losing their lives at the festival.
Megan Ball and Peter McCallum died on the same night in separate incidents.
Concerns around the festival have since been raised with MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife Liz Smith saying the event was already on trial after widespread safety concerns from last year.
It's licence is now issued on a year-to year-basis.
Ms Smith said: “I think many people – including myself – gave promoters DF Concerts the benefit of the doubt that they could sort the problems for 2016.”
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