Dad-to-be dies in road accident

The man who died after being hit by a learner driver on the A93 at Bridge of Gairn has been named by the police.

He was 37-year-old Christopher Hutchon, who lived in the Ballater area.

The accident happened yesterday morning and involved a blue Skoda Fabia car driven by a supervised learner driver. The driver and passengers were uninjured.

Mr Hutchon's wife Kirstine, 36, has released the following statement on behalf of his family.

"Chris had everything to live for and we are absolutely devastated by what has happened. We met ten years ago and we had lived at Bridge of Gairn Farm for the last three years. We were married at the farm in September 2013 and Chris was due to become a dad in the next few weeks.

"Chris studied at St Andrews University between 1996 and 2000 and worked as an IT consultant. He loved travelling and was passionate about the outdoors. In particular he spent a lot of time snowboarding in Morzine in the French Alps. We lived in Falkirk originally but had moved back to Ballater to have our family home where I grew up. In July 2014 we had set up a riding school at the farm.

"Chris was a much loved husband, son, brother, uncle and friend to many. He was a good person and would always help others. He had a great zest for life, always pursued his goals and was a very active person."

Sergeant Rob Warnock, from the Aberdeenshire and Moray Road Policing Unit, said: "This was a tragic incident which has resulted in a 37-year-old man losing his life. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.

"Enquiries are continuing and I am looking to trace a vehicle that may have been on the A93 at the time of the collision travelling in the opposite direction of the Skoda. I would ask that if the driver or occupants of the vehicle saw anything or saw the Skoda vehicle prior to the collision contact Police Scotland on 101."