three sixth-formers in carfriends of victim flood website with tributes
North-east schoolboy killed in horror smash on the A96
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A north-east community was in shock last night after a sixth-form schoolboy was killed in a car crash.
The accident, near Huntly in Aberdeenshire, also left two other teenagers requiring hospital treatment.
It is understood the victim, named locally as Josh Wilkie, 16, from Insch, attended the Gordon Schools at Huntly.
Last night friends of the youngster flooded an internet website with tributes.
A local councillor said the crash was a “catastrophic” way for a family to start the new year. The two-car collision happened around 3pm on the A96 Huntly to Keith road near the Bin Forest.
The 16-year-old victim, who was thought to live with his parents on High Street, was a passenger in a blue Peugeot 206 which was in collision with a Volvo XC90.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Peugeot landed on its roof in a field, while the Volvo came to rest at the roadside.
The 17-year-old male driver of the Peugeot and a 16-year-old female passenger suffered minor injuries.
The Volvo’s 42-year-old female driver was unhurt.
Commenting on the accident, Moira Ingleby, a Conservative councillor for the local area, said: “I was briefed on the accident by the council but I don’t know much about it.
“From what I understand it involved three senior pupils from the Gordon Schools.
“This is just dreadful, a catastrophic way to start 2009 and I am just shocked.
“My heart goes out to the families of those involved.”
She added: “We’ve had very cold temperatures up here and rain overnight on top of ice – whether that had anything to do with it I don’t know.”
Local Liberal Democrat councillor Alastair Ross added: “This is just dreadful.
“I know very little about it as this stage but I believe one pupil from the school has been killed.
“I received a call just to brief me that this accident had occurred and that sixth- form pupils were involved.”
He went on: “It's just ghastly. I know it’s the time of year when accidents are going to happen but it never lessens the shock.
“It’s a dreadful situation.
“Imagine coming home from work to learn that your child had died.”
The section of the A96 where the crash happened was closed for seven hours while investigators from Grampian Police examined the scene.
Diversions were set up, taking commuters on to the Dufftown road, or into the back of Huntly on the Aberchirder route.
A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service said a crew had attended and had taken the dead schoolboy’s two friends to Jubilee Hospital at Huntly with minor injuries.
Grampian Fire and Rescue Service said cutting gear was used to try to free a casualty.
Friends of Josh Wilkie were last night posting messages on his Bebo site.
One friend said: “You were a good friend, will never be forgotten, all ways a mate! I will see you in heaven soon my friend.”
Another friend commented: “I cant believe this has happened to you. I and everybody will miss you so much.
You will never ever be forgotten. You were there for me when I needed somebody and I miss you so much already. RIP Josh. Thinking of you and your family.”
Police are appealing for witnesses to the crash to contact them. Inspector Scott Mann, of the force’s roads policing unit, is leading the inquiry into the accident.
He said: “Tragically, another young person has died as a result of a road collision. This will be an extremely difficult period for the family and friends of that individual and my thoughts are with them at this sad time. Our inquiries are at a very early stage.
“Collision investigators have carried out a detailed examination of the scene and we also need to ensure that all witnesses to the collision are traced. I appeal to anyone who witnessed the collision or assisted at the scene to contact Grampian Police if they haven't already been spoken to.”
Grampian Police can be contacted on 0845 600 5700.
A spokeswoman for Aberdeenshire Council said she could not comment on the accident.
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