A well-known Inverness bus driver has died just weeks after being diagnosed with coronavirus.
George White, from Culcabock, was last night described as the “life and soul of the party” by his son.
Mr White, 57, was a well-known face around Inverness through his work as a bus driver and ticket inspector.
He continued to work through the first couple of weeks of lockdown, but he fell ill and on March 30 he was rushed to Raigmore Hospital, where tests confirmed he had Covid-19.
He was put into an induced coma and ventilator, but medics could not save him and he died on Tuesday.
Last night son Paul said Mr White put up a “hell of a fight” and said his memory would never “fade away”.
“He was always the life and soul of the party,” Mr White jun said. “He was someone who could make you laugh when you were feeling rubbish or just cheer you up by doing something silly.
“Everyone knew him and it didn’t matter how you knew him, he always left a mark on you.
“If someone was in trouble he was always there to help them. He always put his hand out to help anyone he could, regardless of whatever the situation was.
“He was my best mate. We were always out when we could. He always helped me. He was my friend, mentor and support whenever I needed anything and he was like that with everyone.
“He had a fantastic relationship with all his grandkids and they loved him to bits.
“There is always going to be a gap but we have our memories and he will never fade away.”
Mr White jun begged people to heed the government advice and stay at home.
The 31-year-old added: “You don’t know if it is going to hit you and how it is going to hit you.
“It doesn’t pick and choose. It just takes anyone. It has not got any prejudice.
“If it hits, it hits and there is nothing you can really do about it.”
Mr White sen is survived by partner Sharron, children Paul and Nicolle and grandchildren Theo, Riley, Brodie, Jamie and Billy.