A teenage apprentice killed in a horrific crash in the Highlands was last night described as an “incredible man” by his grieving family.
Liam Brown died when his car went off the A830 Road to the Isles near Arisaig in Lochaber and crashed through a fence before plunging down an embankment.
The 18-year-old was working as an apprentice in his home town of Mallaig, and was also attending classes at Inverness College in bricklaying and joinery as part of his studies.
Last night his family paid tribute to him and thanked the local community for their support.
Mr Brown’s mother, Claire Whitton, said: “The whole community is mourning the loss of this wonderful, happy, cheerful, thoughtful and sensitive young man, but none more so than his adoring family.
“He was a son who brightened our lives every day, and made our hearts swell with pride at the incredible man he grew to become.
“We celebrated his achievements, his popularity, and his loving, caring nature; we will forever be grateful to have held him in our loving care even for this tragically brief period of time.”
As well as his mother, Mr Brown leaves behind his younger sister Emily and older stepbrother Anthony.
Tributes were left at the scene of the accident, about two miles north of Arisaig.
Friends also took to social media to pay tribute to the teenager, with Jane Hall saying: “Our thoughts and prayers are with you all, and please if there is anything we can do you know we are here for you.
“RIP Liam – he was such a lovely boy.”
Hamish Sim said: “So very sad to hear this, words cannot help but my heart and my thoughts go out to you all at this very tragic time, so sorry for your loss.”
His aunt, Rebecca Whitton, added: “I can’t believe this has happened to such a beautiful young man. I am so proud to have had you as a nephew all our thoughts are with the rest of the family.”
The Fort William-Mallaig road was closed for about 10 hours while police carried out an investigation into the cause of the accident, which happened in the early hours of Saturday.
No other vehicles were involved in the accident and Mr Brown was alone in his car at the time.
Mr Brown was the fifth person to die on the north’s roads in the space of a week.
Police also confirmed yesterday that 29-year-old Ava Milne was killed in an accident on the B9175 between Arabella and Nigg in Easter Ross on Friday morning.
She died when her Renault Clio was involved in a collision with a Volvo car shortly after leaving her work at the fabrication yard at Nigg.
Her employer Global Energy Group paid tribute to a “hard working, popular and valued member of staff”.
The crash followed a number of other serious accidents in which people lost their lives in the past 10 days.
A 72-year-old woman died in a collision on the A9 near Dunbeath last weekend, while a 66-year-old was also killed in a crash at Cunningsburgh Hall in Shetland the following day.
A 23-year-old Royal Marine also lost his life in an accident on the A9 near Aviemore last Wednesday.