The family of a young man who died when his car careered off a country road and landed in a field have said they will “miss him dearly”.
Lee McClure was alone in his silver Vauxhall Astra when it went out of control and crashed near an Aberdeenshire village.
The 23-year-old hydraulic engineer’s vehicle was found in a frost-covered field beside the A950, which runs from New Pitsligo to Peterhead via Mintlaw.
In a statement, the McClure family said last night: “Lee was well-loved by family and friends and we are devastated that he has been taken from us.
“Lee moved from Ayr to Portlethen for work and worked in Aberdeen as a hydraulic engineer. He was a keen and skilled footballer and enjoyed playing very much.
“We will miss him dearly.”
Friends also paid tribute to the young man on social media.
One said: “So, so sad, actually can’t believe it. RIP Lee, you’ll definitely never be forgotten. Thoughts are with your family!”
The road was closed for five hours after Mr McClure’s car was discovered around 8.15am on Saturday.
Police have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash, and have urged anyone who may have witnessed it to come forward.
A spokeswoman said: “Investigations into the collision are continuing and police ask that anyone with information or who may have seen Lee’s vehicle, a silver Vauxhall Astra, prior to the collision contacts them.”
Local councillors have said that the fatal incident – the latest in a spate in the area over the winter period – raises serious concerns about road safety in Buchan.
Last night, Central Buchan councillor Lenny Pirie said: “I didn’t know the gentleman, but it’s terribly sad news. All I can say is that my condolences go to the family.
“There have been a number of fatalities on our Buchan roads and I think it’s time we sit down with the police and do something.
“There are some very bad bends along that stretch of road, and the conditions have been changeable.”
And fellow Central Buchan councillor Jim Ingram, who lives in Mintlaw, said: “The thing that’s troubling me is there’s been a spate of these accidents over the winter, almost one per week since the start of December.
“I think we need to speak to the police about it. Each is different, I accept that, but perhaps there’s something we can be doing as councillors to help improve the situation.”
At the beginning of December, 19-year-old William Sangster died when the car he was passenger in smashed into a tree on the outskirts of Mintlaw.
Days later, 22-year-old university student Mirela Slavova was killed when her white Vauxhall Corsa was involved in a head-on collision with another car on the A952 between Mintlaw and Toll of Birness.
And on Christmas Eve 20-year-old Fraser Gibbon died when a red Vauxhall Insignia car collided with his green mini-loader tractor on the B9170 near Cuminestown.