THE teenage victim of a horrific north crash was described last night as a “rising star” of a Highland oil yard.
Kevin MacIver, who lived at Saltburn, was only two miles west of the Global Energy Park at Nigg when his car and an articulated lorry collided.
The 19-year-old’s Vauxhall Corsa was left wedged under the trailer of the timber truck, which is understood to have been manoeuvring across the road as dusk fell.
Mr MacIver died at the scene. The lorry driver was uninjured.
Yesterday, his brother Andrew MacIver paid tribute to him on a social networking site.
He wrote: “I can’t believe he is gone, you were the best brother in the world. I love you so much Kevin. You’re in a better place now.”
Mr MacIver had worked as a technical clerk for oil fabrication firm Isleburn at Nigg since August 2012 and was training to be a project engineer. His father and uncle both work at the yard.
His workmates at Isleburn yesterday closed down their operations at Nigg as a mark of respect for the teenager.
A company spokesman said that Mr MacIver was “destined for greater things”.
He said: “He was really a gem of a fellow and had a tremendous sense of humour. He was a rising star in the company.
“Kevin was well thought of by everybody. Members of his family, including his father and uncle, work at the company. Everyone is devastated by the news.”
Floral tributes were left at the crash scene, on the B9175 Nigg to Kildary road, yesterday.
The teenager’s friends also used social networking sites to express their grief at the death of the former Invergordon Academy pupil.
Stuart Michael wrote: “Was a privilege to have been friends with Kevin ever since primary school. God only takes the best.”
Cal Sangster wrote: “Kevin you were such a genuine guy and you were always happy. Thoughts go out to the family.”
The accident happened shortly after 5pm on Thursday where the B9175 meets the Carse of Bayfield road end.
Mr MacIver was driving westbound in a blue Vauxhall Corsa when it collided with the trailer of the empty timber lorry.
The Alex Campbell Haulage truck is understood to have been reversing across the single-carriageway road into a side road at the time.
Six fire appliances, including two specialist rescue units from Inverness, were sent to the scene.
The heavy equipment was used to lift the trailer to free the crushed car.
The fire brigade’s Caithness Sutherland and Ross group manager, Anthony Gardner, said 25 crew had worked hard to carry out a difficult job.
Police officers from the road policing unit in Dingwall were at the scene for more than seven hours while investigations were carried out.
The road was closed for seven-and-a-half hours.
A police spokesman appealed for anyone with information to contact them.