Community mourns accident victims

Brian Wight, 16, Peter Reilly, 21, and 16-year-old Christopher Mallin

Families of three young men who died in a Fife road crash have been paying tribute to the victims.

The trio, from Levenmouth in Fife, were killed after their car hit a tree on Tuesday on the A915 near Kirkcaldy.

Driver Peter Reilly, 21, Brian Wight and Christopher Mallin, both aged 16, were pronounced dead at the scene on the Standing Stane Road at 2215 GMT.

Scott Stewart, 16, who was meant to be in the car, has told how he watched his three best friends die in the crash.

Mr Stewart revealed he would have been in the Vauxhall Vectra the trio were travelling in if it had not been for a last-minute change of plan.

I was screaming their names but they just wouldn't wake up Scott Stewart Friend of the victims

He told the Dundee Courier newspaper how he swapped places with Mr Mallin shortly before the tragedy, after deciding to travel with another friend.

The accident happened as the friends made their way home after a night out in Kirkcaldy.

Mr Stewart was in a Ford Mondeo, which was travelling behind the Vectra.

He said that as the Vectra went to overtake a car, he saw a vehicle coming the opposite way.

Mr Stewart said Mr Reilly had tried to steer the car to the left but it hit the kerb, went across the road and crashed into a tree.

The Vauxhall Vectra crashed into a tree

Mr Stewart rushed to the crash scene to try and help his friends.

"I ran over to see if they were all right," he said.

"I put the light on my phone and I could see them all just lying there."

The teenager added: "I just started screaming my heart out. I was screaming their names but they just wouldn't wake up."

Mr Reilly's family said in a statement: "He was much loved and will be sadly missed by all his family and friends."

Mr Wight's sister Gillian and his mother Sarah said: "Brian was always happy. He was a brilliant and loving brother and son who would do anything for anyone. We're going to miss him so much."

'Deepest sympathy'

Mr Mallin's family said: "Christopher was a popular lad with a lot of friends. They will miss him so much as will all his family who loved him dearly."

Mr Reilly was from Shore Street in Buckhaven, Mr Wight, from Linnwood Drive in Leven and Mr Mallin, from Hill Road in Kennoway.

Insp John McDonald, of Fife Constabulary, said it was a terrible tragedy which had left three families grief-stricken.

"Three young lives have literally been lost in a second and our deepest sympathy goes out to the families and their communities."

A white Ford Mondeo on the same route also left the road but the female driver and male passengers were uninjured, the police said.