A care worker killed after her car collided with a tree on a country road has been described as a “kind and thoughtful” young woman having the “best time” of her life.
Alix Smith, from Forres, died after her red Vauxhall Corsa went off the road early yesterday morning.
Two friends were seriously hurt and taken to hospitals in Inverness and Aberdeen. A 31-year-old man was taken to Dr Gray’s Hospital with minor injuries.
The accident happened near the New Forres Quarry at about 1.35am yesterday, and the road was sealed off for several hours while collision examiners pieced together what happened.
Miss Smith’s family were too upset to talk about the tragedy last night, but neighbours and friends described her as a popular young carer.
Last night, neighbours revealed Miss Smith was a “kind” and “thoughtful” local who was well-liked in the area.
Davy Bell said: “We had a golden retriever called Breagh about three years ago. I was struggling to walk her because I was having trouble with my back.
“Alix just kept asking to walk her. They must have gone out 10 miles at a time. She loved that dog, and Breagh loved her.
“After that she just started helping us more and more. We had regular fish and chip nights and took it in turns to collect. It’s such a tragedy.”
Edith Bell added: “She was a neighbour but became a friend and was always welcome in the house like family. She was like a second daughter we never had.”
Forres councillor Aaron McLean said: “I know the family well and I know how close they all are – she doted on her niece and nephew. I’m sure they will be devastated by this.
“It’s always a tragedy when it happens to someone so young.”
Friends also posted their own tributes online.
Danielle Marie wrote: “I feel like you were just beginning to have the best time of your life, spending more time doing the things that made you happy, which makes this news even more devastating and gutting.
“I’m just glad that from what I could see you were enjoying and living life to the full.”
Johnathan Geddes wrote: “Everyone leaves footprints in your memory, but the ones that leave footprints in your heart are the ones you will truly remember.”
Police, fire and ambulance crews were called to the unclassified road, leading from Forres to Califer Hill, near Wester Newforres.
Miss Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. A 22-year-old woman in the back of the car was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary with serious injuries, while the other rear passenger, a 23-year-old man was taken to Raigmore.
Sergeant Colin Matheson appealed for witnesses who saw the accident or saw the car beforehand to contact the police.
He said: “My thoughts and those of my officers and the other emergency services who were in attendance are with all those affected by this terrible tragedy.
“I’m extremely interested in speaking to anyone who may have witnessed the collision, or who may have seen the red Vauxhall Corsa in the area beforehand.
“Similarly, I would urge anyone with information on where the vehicle and its occupants were before the collision to contact us in order to help piece together exactly what has happened.”
Anyone with information about the incident should contact police by phoning 101.
