The family of a teenager killed after his car burst into flames in a horror Highland crash have paid tribute to their “happy-go-lucky boy” – who is understood to have swerved into an oncoming car to avoid deer.
Samuel Foster, 18, a former pupil of Millburn Academy in Inverness, was travelling west on the A82 near Dochgarroch shortly around 10pm on Sunday night when the tragic collision occurred.
His blue Renault Clio was in collision with a silver Ford Galaxy between Inverness and Drumnadrochit before bursting into a blazing ball of fire.
It is believed the crash occurred after two deer jumped in front of the teenager’s car, causing him to swerve.
The driver of the Ford Galaxy escaped with minor injuries.
In a statement released by his devastated family yesterday they said they would always remember their “darling boy” as having “a smile on his face”.
They said: “Samuel, our darling boy, was incredibly popular and had a huge circle of friends.
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“He attended Millburn Academy before moving to Inverness College two years ago to study engineering. He also worked at the bakery at Marks and Spencer for two years and loved his motocross biking and cars.
“Samuel was a happy-go-lucky boy who was always happy and friendly. This picture is how we will remember him, always with a smile on his face.
“Samuel was the youngest of four siblings and words can’t express how much he will be missed by his parents Heather and Lenny, his brother David and twin sisters Samantha and Kirsty, his nephew Reuben and niece Georgie.
“We would like to thank the incredible number of people who have sent us messages of sympathy – your kind words mean so much and are a reminder of just how popular and well-loved Samuel was. We hope he will always be remembered this way.”
The popular teenager from the Lochend area near Inverness was in the throes of studying engineering at Inverness College UHI when his life was cut short.
Staff at the city campus yesterday paid tribute to the dedicated student.
A spokeswoman for Inverness College UHI said: “Samuel was a very polite, happy student, who worked hard at his studies and was a pleasure to teach.
“Our thoughts are with his family at this very sad time and we are doing everything we can to support staff and his classmates following this tragic accident.”
Tributes have continued to pour in across social media, with Jodi Morris posting: “No words to describe how much you meant to all your friends Sam, you will forever be in our hearts.”
Meanwhile, Helen Campbell added: “So heartbreakingly sad. A lovely boy who was always so polite & always had a smile each time I met him, thinking off Heather Lenny , Dave, Kirsti & Sam & their partners at such a sad loss. RIP Samuel you will always be remembered.”
Angus Corby, landscape adviser for Transport Scotland, said: “Transport Scotland is keen to work with colleagues from other agencies to help manage the potential impact that wild deer can have on trunk roads in Scotland.
“The biannual campaign to utilise targeted parts of the VMS network has been developed to provide useful information to motorists in areas and at times where analysis of the data collected suggests there may be more chance of deer venturing across the road.”