Tributes paid to Fife dad following cycling tragedy

Tributes are being paid to a man who died during a cycling race in the Borders.

Forty-nine-year-old Jason Brand, from Dunfermline, had been taking part in the Tour O' The Borders event when he came off his bike near Megget Reservoir yesterday (Sunday).

His family have described him as "an amazing father, husband and best friend", and say they are are "totally devastated" by his death.

Police say no-one else was involved but enquiries are ongoing.

Event director Neil Dalgleish said: “The whole event team is devastated by the tragedy at Tour O The Borders, and all our thoughts are with the rider’s family and friends. It seems unthinkable that this could happen on a day filled with such happiness and positivity – everyone is doing their best now to come to terms with the shock.

"I’d like to thank our own crew, the cyclists who stopped to help, and the emergency services for doing everything they could to prevent this awful outcome. Our deepest sympathies are with the family – it’s all too tragic to properly understand."

More than 2000 riders took part in the event, which starts and finishes in Peebles.

The event, which involved rolling road closures, travelled mainly over quiet back roads.

The riders set off in waves between 6.50am and 7.40am and police say the incident happened around 9.40am.

There were two routes - one 74 mile loop and another 56 miles. Both the long and the short route passed Megget Reservoir.

Emergency services were called to a nearby road after Jason came off his bicycle and suffered serious injuries.

No other persons or competitors were involved and, despite the best efforts of medical personnel, he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

In a statement released through Police Scotland, Jason’s family said: “We are absolutely devastated at the loss of our beloved Jason, husband, son, brother, uncle and father of two. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. We would like to ask for privacy to grieve at this difficult time.”

An investigation by Police Scotland’s Road Policing Unit to establish the full circumstances surrounding the collision remains underway.

Anyone who witnessed what happened, or who has information which may be relevant, and has not yet contacted police is urged to call 101 and quote incident number 1168 of September 1st.

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: "Police in the Scottish Borders responded to a road near Meggetland Reservoir at around 9.40am on Sunday September 1.

"A 49-year-old cyclist was involved in a collision during the Tour of the Borders event.

"As a result he sustained serious injuries. No other persons were involved in the collision.

"He was pronounced dead at the scene. Enquiries are continuing."