Family tribute to crash teenager

Josh Wilkie was described as a very loving person

The father of a 16-year-old schoolboy killed in a car crash in Aberdeenshire has said he will "never be forgotten".

Josh Wilkie, of Insch, died in the accident on the A96 near Huntly on Monday afternoon.

The sixth year pupil at The Gordon Schools had been a passenger in a car travelling from Huntly when the accident happened.

His father, Brian, said on behalf of the family: "We were very lucky to have him."

Mr Wilkie said: "He was a very loving person and was loved by everyone who came into contact with him.

"He had a wide circle of friends who were very important to him and he was very loyal and supportive of them."

Josh was a bright articulate lad. Staff and pupils are saddened by his untimely death Gordon Schools tribute

Mr Wilkie said Josh had a particular interest in graphic communications and other science and technical-based subjects, which he hoped would help him in his chosen future career as an electrical engineer.

Josh - who would have turned 17 on 18 January - was a member of the school basketball team and enjoyed playing his electric guitar.

He is survived by his mother, Anne, his 19-year-old sister Pip, and 14-year-old brother William.

'Great guy'

A spokeswoman from The Gordon Schools said: "Josh was a bright articulate lad who related well to his fellow seniors. He had an individual sense of humour and enjoyed taking part in school fundraising ventures.

"He was looking forward to leaving school and progressing to college or an apprenticeship.

"The staff and pupils of The Gordon Schools are saddened by his untimely death and their thoughts are very much with his family."

The three teenagers were in the Peugeot which crashed

The spokeswoman added: "We have provided counselling and support to fellow pupils and will continue to do so for as long as is required at this difficult time."

Friends have also started to leave messages on the teenager's Bebo internet page, describing him as "great guy" who would always be loved.

The crash involved a Peugeot 206 and a Volvo XC90 near to the access road to Bin Forest.

The 17-year-old male driver of the Peugeot in which Josh was travelling, and a 16-year-old female passenger, escaped with minor injuries.

The 42-year-old female driver of the Volvo was not injured.

Insp Scott Mann, of Grampian Police, said: "This will be an extremely difficult period for the family and friends and my thoughts are with them."

The road was closed for more than seven hours and police have appealed for witnesses.