The family of a young dad who died on New Year’s Day have spoken of their shock.
Culter man Shaun Sykes, who was just 35, collapsed while watching a film with loved ones and could not be revived.
Originally from Sheffield, he had moved to Aberdeen with fiancee Tracy Ridge, 34, in 2001.
The official cause of death is unknown at this stage, but Ms Ridge says she and the couple’s two children Caitlin, 11, and Cameron, 8 have been left reeling by the tragic events.
She said: “We had had a fantastic Christmas. He took two weeks off and we went out together as a family and had fun.
“We had just eaten together and were watching a movie and he just went like that.”
The family now face an agonising wait for the results of a post-mortem examination before they can arrange the funeral.
Mr Sykes was well-known in the city as The Handyman – a business he set up two-years ago.
Ms Ridge says the reaction of her fiance’s loyal customers, as well as the wider community, had helped the family cope with their grief.
She continued: “He was committed to his job. I didn’t really know his customers but he had work booked for the next month.
“My neighbour phoned round them all and told them and everyone said, ‘I hope Tracy and the kids are fine’, because he was always talking about us.
“He was a fantastic father and will be sorely missed.”
In September 2006, Mr Sykes was involved in a motorbike crash in Ballater, which left him with life-threatening injuries.
After nine weeks in hospital, he endured a gruelling series of 29 operations to repair his right leg, which had taken the brunt of the impact of the crash, leaving most of the bones fractured.
Ms Ridge says she found comfort in the fact he survived the accident and got to experience his children growing up.
The couple had been planning to get married in the next year or two.
Ms Ridge added: “We were planning on moving house and getting a dog.
“I just keep saying to remember the good times, and there are plenty of them.”