Ted was a nice guy who would help anyone. The crash is really horrific, it’s heartbreaking
TRIBUTES TO VICTIMS OF MINIBUS SMASH Friends mourn tragic Army veteran
A tragic crash victim who died in a collision with a tourist minibus was an Army veteran who served in Northern Ireland.
Grandfather Ted Reid was among five people who died in the horror smash late on Thursday night.
The 63-year-old was travelling in a Nissan X-Trail with his friend Evalyn Collie, 69, and a 70- year- old woman, both of whom died.
A four- year- old boy and a woman – who were Italian holidaymakers travelling in the Fiat Talento minibus involved in the crash – were also killed.
The carnage happened on a tight bend between Keith and Huntly on the A96 in Moray.
Shocked friends yesterday paid tribute to Ted, who served in the Royal Tank Regiment and was based in Belfast and Germany.
He later worked as a bus driver.
Ted, who lived in Macduff , Aberdeenshire, with his second wife Pamela, was employed by Stagecoach.
William Bremner said his friend also used to drive the team coach for Highland League football team Deveronvale.
The businessman added: “Ted was a great character and would help anyone. When he was driving his bus he always waved to everybody he knew. He was a really nice guy.
“He joined the Army after school and was there for about 10 years before becoming a bus driver.
“This accident was horrific, the loss of life is heart-breaking. Ted will be sorely missed.”
Deveronvale director Linda Montgomery said the club planned to hold a minute’s silence in memory of Ted at their home game against Nairn United next weekend.
She added: “Ted drove the team coach many a year ago. He was very popul a r and well respected by everyone at D ever on vale. A lifelong supporter of the club, he was at last week’s home game cheering on the team as usual. “News of his death has devastated us all. He’s a huge loss to the club.” Stagecoach refused to comment. The car Ted was in was being driven by Morag Smith, 39. She was being treated in Elgin’s Dr Gray’s Hospital last night. The male driver of the minibus, another man, a woman and a boy, three, were also injured. They were being treated at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
NHS Grampian refused to comment but it is understood the woman was still in a critical condition last night.
It is understood Ted had been travelling home from a line dancing party in Elgin.
Tributes were also paid yesterday to Eva lyn, of Aberchirder, Aberdeenshire.
She was nominated for a Sunday Mail Great Scot award in 2008 in recognition of her work with the Gordon Dementia Service in Inverurie.
She ran a day care centre, treating dementia sufferers, for more than 20 years before she retired in 2015. When she was nominated, she said: “There are not many places which cater for patients with dementia. I was determined to do what I could to make life easier for them.”
Evalyn had star ted line dancing classes last year at the Bennachie Leisure Centre in the village of Insch.
It’s unclear how long the Italian tourists had been in Scotland.
Pol ice are investigating whether bad weather in the Keith area on Thursday night – including thunderstorms and fog – played a part in the crash.
They said the names of all those killed will be released tomorrow.
A spokesman for the Italian consul general for Scotland said: “We will be supporting the families of the Italian citizens involved in any way we can.”
Ted was very popular – it’s a huge loss