A serviceman has died after a motorbike crash at a Moray airbase.
The 49-year-old was riding his machine on a road inside RAF Lossiemouth’s perimeter fence when the accident happened.
An investigation has been launched and the Ministry of Defence said last night the dead man’s name would not be released until his next of kin had been informed.
In a statement, colleagues at the base said he was “extremely popular”.
The tragedy has also shocked people in the right-knit community – many of whom were involved in the battle to save RAF Lossiemouth when defence spending cuts left its future in doubt.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said last night: ‘We can confirm the tragic death of a serviceman from RAF Lossiemouth in a road traffic accident.
“The deceased will be greatly missed on the station, where he was an extremely popular individual.
“We are acutely aware that he leaves behind close family and friends, and the thoughts and prayers of our personnel go out to them at this most difficult time.”
Local postmaster Bernard Annikin was one of hundreds of people who fought a high-profile battle to keep RAF Lossiemouth open when it was threatened with closure in 2010.
He said: “We stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the RAF in their time of need, and now we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them in their hour of grief.
“I’m shocked and I’m sure that is a feeling which is shared by the whole community.”
Police were alerted to the accident at around 9.15pm on Tuesday.
It is understood that no other vehicles were involved.
A police investigation is now being carried out in conjunction with the RAF to establish the exact circumstances of the crash.
A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.
The serviceman was off duty when the accident happened.
RAF Lossiemouth has a ring-road several miles long which runs right around the base and connects its domestic quarters with its operational sites.
The base recently welcomed a large batch of new personnel as 6 Squadron Typhoon crews moved to Moray in June, replacing 12 (Bomber) Squadron and the 617 Dambusters Squadron, which both flew Tornados.