The family of a north-east man spoke last night about his peacemaking nature as he lay seriously ill in hospital.
Callum Buchan, 20, is in a high-dependency ward at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary after undergoing six hours of emergency surgery for a series of stab wounds across his chest, neck and legs.
He was taken to the hospital early on Thursday following an incident in South Harbour Road, Fraserburgh.
His devastated family, from Cairnbulg, said the former Fraserburgh Academy pupil has been slipping in and out of consciousness and has been told not to eat until tests on his stomach and bowels are completed.
Mr Buchan’s mother, Sonya, of Mid Street, Cairnbulg, said: “I know all mothers say the same about their children, but Callum really is a good boy. He’s not a fighter at all. He’s never been in a fight in his life.
“If anything, he’s a peacemaker.”
She relived the events of the fateful night.
“It was the first time he had had a night out in a long time,” Mrs Buchan said. “He hardly ever goes out. I feel really bad because I was the one who encouraged him to go out and enjoy himself.”
Mrs Buchan said her son had returned home about 11.30pm before going back into town.
“He seemed to be having a good time but he certainly wasn’t drunk,” she said. “He’s not a big drinker.”
Mr Buchan had been out with his brother, Ian, and was waiting for a taxi home just before 2am when the alleged attack happened.
His mother said: “To see him the way he is now is just a nightmare.
“He was in surgery for six hours. They had to cut him open and check his organs.
“His stomach was punctured. At one point, they were struggling to stop him bleeding. I thought we were going to lose him.”
Mr Buchan’s sister, Pamela, said: “The doctors can’t say how long he’s going to be in hospital for but it looks like it will be a long time yet.
“He’s been slipping in and out of consciousness all the time. He doesn’t deserve to go through this.”
Mr Buchan, a time-served marine engineer, was due to begin working offshore for Aberdeen-based firm Hydratight.
Police have been examining the scene of the alleged attack in South Harbour Road, near the town’s eastern edge.
Officers cordoned off the area early on Thursday while investigators searched for evidence.
Nathan Ritchie, 18, appeared in private at Peterhead Sheriff Court yesterday charged with attempted murder.
Ritchie, of Ferndale, East Moss, Memsie, made no plea during the brief petition hearing before Sheriff Malcolm Garden and was released on bail.
Fiscal depute Douglas Monaghan said he would return to court at a later date.