A young north man reported missing by his family was found dead in his van at the foot of a gorge by his uncle and cousin.
Niall Gunn’s vehicle careered off the road and plunged down a 15ft drop into a burn in his home village in Sutherland.
The 25-year-old had been travelling west on the A836 Thurso-Tongue route when his van went out of control near a crossroads at Strathy.
It is thought his pet dog also died in the accident.
Mr Gunn had been reported missing after last being seen by his family about 24 hours earlier.
It is understood that his uncle, David Mackay, and his cousin, John Mackay, had been searching for him when they decided to scramble down the embankment and spotted the van.
Last night, tributes were paid to the farm worker – and there were fresh calls for crash barriers to be installed at the spot where the accident happened.
His girlfriend Julie Manson said on social media: “My beautiful manny. I love you.”
Mr Gunn lived with his father William Gunn at Steven Terrace in Strathy.
He worked at farms and croft holdings in the local area and friends said the death was the second recent tragedy in the family after his mother Morag died in spring 2014.
Strathy and Armadale Community Council chairwoman, Janette MacKay, said: “He was a young man and the whole community is devastated that such a terrible accident could happen. It is very, very sad.
“We are very, very sorry and feel very much for his father and his brothers and sisters.
“I knew him well. He was a popular chap in his community along with his pals, and they are all devastated about it.
“It is a treacherous part of the road and there is no room for an accident there.
“If you tip the verge it is a very narrow verge down into the gorge and this is why we have been asking for a barrier to be erected there, but the council keep saying they have no money.
“We have also been asking for warning lights and a reduced speed limit, as the 50mph limit is too high.”
North, West and Central Sutherland councillor Hugh Morrison, who knew Mr Gunn from socialising and through the farming community, said: “Obviously I am very sorry to hear what has happened. It is a life gone too short and he had plenty in front of him and it is a big shock to his family and his friends.
“It is a shock to everyone along the north Sutherland and Caithness coast. He was a chap who got out and about and had a wide circle of friends and he will be sadly missed.”
Mr Gunn had been reported missing around 7.25pm on Sunday.
His crashed van was discovered around 8.50pm after relatives mounted a search for him.
The accident happened just east of the crossroads junction with Strathy West and Strathy East road.
A police spokesman said: “Police Scotland can confirm that Niall Gunn’s vehicle was found by a member of the public.
“Officers were conducting pro-active searches in the area and were duly notified of the discovery.”
The road was shut for several hours as investigators from the road policing unit at Dingwall examined the scene.
A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal and police have urged anyone with information to contact them on 101.