The family of a north-east motorcyclist killed in a crash have said he will be a “great loss to the world”.
Keen biker John Ogston, known as Jocky, died after colliding with a car on the A947 Aberdeen to Banff road, near Plaidy, on Thursday.
It is understood he lost control of his black Victory motorbike bike after colliding with a grey Audi A1, and crashed through a fence into a field.
Last night the 54-year-old’s wife Lesley paid tribute, and said: “Jocky was born in his leathers, and motorcycles have been a huge part of his life since he was 16 years of age.
“His whole family is absolutely devastated at the loss of Oor Jocky who had a big heart and forced everyone around him not to take life too seriously.
“His many friends and family will know what a great loss to the world he will be but he will be in our hearts and minds forever.”
Mr Ogston worked at subsea and marine industry firm Fisher Offshore in Oldmeldrum and in the evenings helped at his wife’s bakery at Whitehills.
The accident happened at about 7.40am, and both vehicles were travelling towards Turriff.
A nurse passing the scene tried to resuscitate the biker, but he was pronounced dead at the scene by a local GP. The 22-year-old driver of the Audi was uninjured.
Local councillor Mark Findlater, who is also chairman of the Banff and District Community Safety Group, said his thoughts were with Mr Ogston’s family, and urged road users to take care.
“My thoughts and prayers go out to John Ogston’s family and friends,” he said.
“There have been more motorbikes out on the road now the sun is out. Everybody needs to more aware of them on the roads.
“The A947 is one of the most dangerous roads and people need to treat the road with respect. As for the safety group, we’d ask people to be more bike aware.”
A five-mile section of the road was closed for more than six hours while collision inspectors examined the scene and tried to piece together what happened.
Police officers spoke to a number of witnesses at the time, but are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.