Tribute to wind farm man who froze to death
THE family of a security guard who died in a blizzard at a wind farm yesterday paid tribute to the loving grandfather and retired prison officer. Ronnie Alexander, 74, and a colleague were stranded in the snow without heat or power for almost five hours before being freed by a police mountain rescue team near New Cumnock, Ayrshire.
Mr Alexander was airlifted to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary early on Monday but passed away from severe hypothermia.
Mr Alexander’s daughter, Tracy Fraser, said the family, from Kilmarnock, still did not know the full circumstances.
Mrs Fraser, 48, said her ‘fit and healthy’ father was trapped in snow for ‘hours and hours’.
She added: ‘The first we knew about it was on Monday morning when the police called my son. We really don’t know any more, which is why the police are doing a full investigation.
‘We don’t even know who the other guy is or how he is. The whole family is devastated. Of course, we want answers.’
Police Scotland’s mountain rescue team was scrambled to the site, run by Afton Wind Farm Ltd, after the alarm was raised at 8.50pm on Sunday.
Mr Alexander and his coworker were guarding the complex for CSM Facilities, which provides security and support services for the construction industry.
The golfing and travel enthusiast, described as a ‘complete gentleman’, was married to Mary, 77. The couple also had another daughter Laura, 45, and three grandsons.
Mr Alexander, who retired from the Scottish Prison Service 15 years ago, had worked at Barlinnie jail in Glasgow, where he was so respected by
‘Of course we want answers’
inmates that they nicknamed him The Governor.
Mrs Fraser added: ‘My dad loved golf, walking, holidays, his family and his grandsons.
‘He and my mum went on holidays to America, Turkey – all over.’
Mr Alexander’s funeral will be held at Holmsford Bridge Crematorium in Dreghorn on February 15.
Police Scotland said officers received a report of two men stranded at a wind farm near Craigdarroch Farm, New Cumnock.
‘Police Scotland Mountain Rescue Team attended and located two men aged 74 and 42,’ the force said in a statement.
‘A 74-year-old man was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary by helicopter, where he later died.
‘A joint investigation between Police Scotland and the Health and Safety Executive is being carried out.’