Durness councillor Hugh Morrison pays tribute to 'professionalism' of emergency services personnel who responded to quad bike accident which resulted in death of local boy (11)
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The death of Durness boy Charlie Morrison in a quad bike accident earlier this week has "deeply affected" rescuers called out to his aid, a local councillor has said.
Councillor Hugh Morrison, a Durness resident, paid tribute to the professionalism of emergency services personnel in dealing with such a tragedy so close to home.
Eleven-year-old Charlie was "unlucky" after being thrown on to boulders, it has emerged.
He was killed after being thrown several feet from his off-road vehicle near Durness.
Locals say that Charlie had been driving the half-mile down a steep route from his own home at Sangobeg to his grandparents' home near the beach.
"Charlie normally rides a wee quad, which is about 50-80cc, but this time it appears he was riding a more powerful machine," said one local.
"His route meant he could only turn 90 degrees at the bottom of the road that crossed the direction to his grandparents' croft and then it looks like he may have gone up over a dyke - which must have acted like a ramp.
"Charlie has taken the route many times and for whatever reason did not negotiate it as he has done numerous times before."
Cllr Morrison added:"It looks like the quad then hit a boulder and Charlie was thrown off the bike and unfortunately and tragically he landed on boulders.
"If he had landed on the grass, it would have probably been a less serious result. It is just terribly unfortunate and very unlucky how he landed and on boulders which seems to have had fatal consequences.
"Charlie was wearing a helmet and was always very safety conscious.
"I would like to especially pay tribute to all the emergency services who attended - including the fire service, coastguards and ambulance personnel - because many of them would have known Charlie personally. They dealt with this tragedy professionally, but it also deeply affected them personally. It was a difficult day that will live for them for ever.
"Durness and the wider community has been been affected and it has nothing but heartfelt sympathy for the family. We hope they find comfort in the period ahead. The community will be there for them."
Emergency services were called to an area of land near the country's most north westerly mainland village just before 4.20pm on Tuesday.
Police confirmed Charlie was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sergeant Christopher Donaldson from the Road Policing Unit at Dingwall said: “Our thoughts are with Charlie’s family and friends at this very difficult time.
“Police enquiries are continuing to establish the exact circumstances surrounding this crash.”
Mr Morrison, who represents North, West and Central Sutherland on Highland Council - and also runs the Smoo Cave Hotel - said:"No words can express the depth of feeling over this tragedy.
"The family are very well known and liked in the area and their loss will be felt widely.
"There are just no adequate words to bring comfort to them over this.
"Charlie was their only child and attended the local school. It appears a terrible tragic accident and the community is here to support the family as best we can."
Durness Primary School was closed yesterday "due to unforeseen circumstances".
Graeme Smart, head teacher of North West Sutherland schools, said: “The whole North West Sutherland schools community is devastated by the tragic news of the death of one of our pupils.
“He was a bright, happy boy who loved being in the outdoors, had a real love for technology and model making and a curiosity about how things worked.
“He was a much loved and valued part of our school group and the schools are sadder places this morning.
“The whole community is deeply shocked by this terrible accident and our thoughts are with the family at this time.”
