Tributes to tragic Matt

TRIBUTES have been paid to a 20-year-old man who died after falling in the snow.

Matt Watt was crossing the Nungate Bridge in Haddington, East Lothian, on Friday when he collapsed. He died in hospital.

Connor Mason wrote online: “So sad, RIP big fella. It’s really unexpected and saddening. Really unfair that he’s been taken away from us. I’ll certainly miss the big friendly guy and it won’t be the same.”

Dan Algeo added: “So sad to hear this. Matt was one of the good guys. My thoughts are with the whole family.” PARENTS spent the weekend clearing snow to ensure their children didn’t miss out on a day’s lessons – only for the council to keep all their schools closed.

Fife Council were the only authority in Scotland to maintain the blanket shutdown. But parents insisted yesterday’s closures should have been made on a school-by-school basis – especially with important exams on the horizon for thousands of youngsters.

Despite heroic community efforts, almost 55,000 pupils in 19 secondaries, 141 primaries, 16 nurseries and 11 pupil support centres were affected across Fife.

Elsewhere, Borders Council shut 19 primaries but reopened all secondaries for S4-S6 pupils.

A small handful remained closed in Aberdeenshire, the Highlands, Inverclyde, East Dunbartonshire and Perth and Kinross, as well as 13 in West Lothian.

Fife’s decision was met with anger and bemusement by locals who rallied around to make playgrounds, paths and car parks safe.

Using the #Teamsnowclear hashtag, social media was awash with photos and stories of the barnstorming effort.

But their fury yesterday was compounded when staff were asked to attend school where possible and, if not, go to any other school they could reach safely, while pupils stayed home.

The decision triggered more than 2000 comments on the council’s Facebook page from raging parents, many of whom had to scramble to arrange emergency childcare.

Phil Walmsley wrote: “Disappointing. Not sure why this has to be a blanket shutdown. Why not let the schools which are safe open? If the teachers can get in (weird it is unsafe for children but safe for teachers) and heating working, they should be able to teach.”

Colin Simpson added: “Fife Council take the easy decision. No bottle. If we are waiting on a sunny day to send the kids back, we’ve got a long wait.”

Jamie Gagnon said: “Disappointed at the length of time it took to decide and

‘A GOOD GUY’ Matt Watt ROUTE WON But this school was still out of action yesterday WHITEWASH Roads and paths around Fife schools were cleared but the efforts of hundreds of people proved to be in vain

DIGGING IN Community spirit was alive and well at Valley Primary in Kirkcaldy where parents and pupils made sure it was accessible