Sad farewell as funeral held at Durness for Charlie Morrison (11) who lost his life in quad bike accident
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Scores of people bade farewell today to an 11-year-old boy who died after a quad bike accident in Durness.
Rescuers who went to the aid of Charlie Morrison were among those who attended the funeral service.
Charlie was killed after being thrown several feet from his off-road vehicle.
The funeral today was at a packed Durness Church of Scotland and was conducted by Rev Andrea Boyes, minister of Durness and Kinlochbervie parish.
She said Charlie was a typical outdoor lad who loved working with his father on the croft.
At the service there was an emotionally moving slideshow of Charlie and his family.
The Lord's My Shepherd and All Things Bright and Beautiful were among the hymns.
Charlie was afterwards laid to rest at a snowy Balnakiel Cemetery in the village. Only family flowers were requested, but donations were invited for the Scottish Autism Charity.
The picturesque cemetery overlooks a stunning bay and beach.
The family funeral notice said Charlie had been "very sadly taken after a tragic accident" and was a "much loved precious son to Trish and Iain, "as well as a "beloved" grandson, nephew, cousin and friend".
Community volunteers laid on refreshments for the many mourners at the village hall afterwards.
Locals say that Charlie had been driving the half mile down a steep route from his own home at Sangobeag to his grandparents' home near the beach on November 29.
It is believed the quad hit a boulder and Charlie was thrown off the bike and unfortunately and tragically he landed on boulders.
Charlie was said by local Highland councillor Hugh Morrison to be 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," he said.
"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."
