A man who died after falling from a town’s Christmas tree was due to become a grandad again that day.
James Ogilvie passed away in hospital yesterday shortly after plunging from a 20ft fir in Kirkcaldy.
Pregnant daughter Amber Mitchell’s due date was December 14.
Mr Ogilvie, of Cupar, had excitedly posted on Facebook on Thursday: “Looks like I’m going to be a grandad in the next 24 hours.”
But hours later paramedics were desperately trying to save his life as he lay unresponsive on the ground next to the tree by the Town House in Kirkcaldy.
Police, who have yet to officially release his identity, are investigating his death but are not treating it as suspicious.
Amber, 23, who is expecting a son, paid tribute to her father on Facebook, posting “RIP dad” and photographs of him but was too upset to speak.
Staff at the nearby Kitty’s nightclub saw Mr Ogilvie, who had not been in the club and was believed to be on his own, climb the illuminated tree then fall to the grass below when the top snapped off.
Nightclub owner Mario Caira said: “We saw him up the tree and then fall out of the tree.
“We called an ambulance and tried to help him. We put him in the recovery position.”
He said he and staff were shocked to learn that Mr Ogilvie had later died and added: “Our thoughts are with his family.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Police in Fife were called to a report of an unresponsive man in the Hunter Street area of Kirkcaldy around 2.55am on Friday December 14.
“The man was treated at the scene then conveyed to Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy by the Scottish Ambulance Service where he later sadly passed away.
“The death is being treated as non-suspicious and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.
“A report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.”
Neil Crooks, chairman of the council’s Kirkcaldy area committee, said: “This is a tragic thing to happen at this time of year.
“Our thoughts are with the family at this time.”
The town’s MP, Lesley Laird, added: “This is tragic news, especially at Christmas, and my thoughts are with the man’s family and friends at this time.”