A “lovely man with a very big heart” has died after being crushed underneath the car he was working on at the Easter Ross home of his estranged wife.
Colin Mackay died at the scene of the accident at 38 Gordon Terrace in Invergordon on Wednesday night.
Neighbours, family and friends tried to move the car off the 54-year-old but neither they nor paramedics were able to save him.
It is believed that Mr Mackay, who is also a father, was working on a taxi which belonged to his wife Janice, a driver for a local firm called C and J’s taxis which the couple, now separated, had run together.
Yesterday, close family were too upset to speak about the tragedy.
A family friend of Mr Mackay’s current partner of three years, Amanda Miller, said: “We would like to send our deepest condolences to his family and all who knew him. He was a lovely man with a very big heart and he was a devoted dog owner to Bruno, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and he was liked by many. He was well known for fixing his tractors and cars”.
Mr Mackay and Ms Miller had known each other for years as they both lived in Caithness when they were children.
They had been living in a chalet together at the self-catering Heatherwood Park, near Embo Street, for three years.
Yesterday a police van could be seen parked in the driveway of the property in Invergordon where the accident happened.
Many local residents in the area who knew the couple said they were shocked by what had happened.
Cromarty Firth councillor Maxine Smith, who knows the family, said: “Obviously my heartfelt thoughts go out to the family and Janice. They were a well known couple and it’s just a tragic accident. I understand neighbours and friends tried to lift the car off Colin, but could not save his life. It’s a very sad day for the town.”
Councillor Martin Rattray, of the same ward, said: “It’s an absolute tragedy for all of the family involved.”
Emergency services were called to the scene at about 8.40pm on Wednesday night.
Police confirmed yesterday that a 54-year-old man had died after becoming “trapped within a garage”.
A spokesman added: “Unfortunately the man died at the scene.
“There were no suspicious circumstances and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal in due course.”
The fire service confirmed that they had sent two appliances from Invergordon to the scene, where firefighters assisted the ambulance service.
The specialist heavy rescue unit was also dispatched from Inverness but was not required at the scene.
