A popular Shetland farmer has died after being involved in an accident on his family farm on the south mainland yesterday.
Police last night confirmed that Bryden Budge, of Bigton Farm, Bigton, died as a result of the injuries he sustained in the incident, which was reported at around 10am.
No details about the accident have been made public.
Local people last night paid tribute to the well-respected 46-year-old farmer, who was a director of Shetland Livestock Marketing Group and used to play for his local football team.
Mr Budge was married to Shetland Islands Council’s children’s services director Helen Budge and the couple had three children – Kirsty, 21, Hannah, 18, and Aimee, 17.
His father Jim Budge also served on the council as a councillor up until the 2012 election.
Councillor Allison Duncan, Shetland South, said he had known Mr Budge jun all his life as he went to school with his father and had been friends ever since.
He said: “It has totally shocked the whole community here. It is a terrible tragedy and I extend my sympathies to the whole of the Budge family at this very sad time.”
Mr Duncan said he had been manager of the local football team, Quendale and Ness United, for which Mr Budge sen and later Mr Budge jun played as goalkeeper.
“He was a great goalkeeper, just like his father, and the pair of them worked on the farm together.
“They ran an excellent farm. The quality of the cattle and sheep they produced here was unsurpassed.”
Shetland Islands Council convener councillor Malcolm Bell said: “We were devastated to hear the tragic news. All our thoughts and prayers are with Helen and the Budge family at this time.
“This kind of event puts things into perspective and, as an organisation, all Helen’s colleagues will rally round and support her and the family.”
A police spokeswoman said the death was not being treated as suspicious.
He added that a report, prepared in conjunction with the Health and Safety Executive, would be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
A spokeswoman for the Health and Safety Executive said: “HSE is investigating this incident alongside Police Scotland, who are taking the lead.”