The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Tributes to tragic Ethan as fears grow for Connor
Injured 17-year-old driver arrested after fatal crash on suspicion of drink-driving
Concern was growing last night for a gravely ill young man who suffered serious injuries in a car crash near Kirkcaldy at the weekend.
Connor Aird, 17, was being closely monitored by medics at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary after Sunday morning’s one-vehicle crash on the A915 left him in a critical condition.
The accident claimed the life of his friend Ethan King, 17, and left 18-year-old Danny Stevens with possible life-threatening injuries.
Tributes were paid to Ethan yesterday, with the ex-Kirkcaldy High School pupil described by the rector as a “happy, friendly and very popular laddie with a great sense of humour”. A memorial event is planned for him at the town’s promenade on Saturday.
Meanwhile, The Courier has learned that the driver of the Vauxhall Corsa involved, a 17-yearold man being treated for serious injuries at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, has been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.
A young man was left fighting for his life in hospital last night following a serious car crash on the outskirts of Kirkcaldy at the weekend.
Connor Aird, 17, was in a critical condition at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary after suffering significant injuries in a one-vehicle accident on the A915 Standing Stane Road at around 8.40am on Sunday.
His friend Ethan King, who was also 17, was killed in the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene, while 18-year-old Danny Stevens was also taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where he was in a stable condition.
The Courier has learned that another 17-year-old boy, who had been driving the black Vauxhall Corsa which left the roadway, has been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and is recovering at Dundee’s Ninewells Hospital after sustaining serious injuries.
The local community was yesterday struggling to come to terms with the loss of Ethan, who has been described as “one in a million” and “happy go lucky” by friends on social media.
Ethan, Connor and Danny, who all lived in Kirkcaldy, previously attended Kirkcaldy High School and special assemblies were held yesterday morning for grieving pupils and staff.
Rector Derek Allan said everyone at Kirkcaldy High had been affected by the “devastating news”.
“Ethan was a happy, friendly and very popular laddie with a great sense of humour,” he said.
Mr Allan added that the school community’s thoughts were with the friends and family of all the boys.
Floral tributes have been placed near the scene of Sunday morning’s crash, which forced the closure of the main road between Kirkcaldy and Leven for around seven hours as crash investigators tried to establish the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Ethan had been a front seat passenger in the vehicle at the time of the accident and emergency services were unable to save him.
His father Gary was one of thousands paying tribute to him, describing Sunday as the “worst day of his life” and describing Ethan as not just a son but his “best friend”.
Heartbroken friends have also rallied round to fundraise to help pay funeral costs, with a GoFundMe page set up in Ethan’s memory smashing its £1,000 target within just 18 minutes.
Family and friends will also gather for a memorial to Ethan on Kirkcaldy Promenade at 6pm on Saturday, giving people the chance to go along and pay their respects by lighting a candle and placing it on the sea wall.
Ethan played football for local team Glenrothes Athletic, and the club said its thoughts and prayers were with those affected.
“Ethan was a happy, friendly and very popular laddie
A minute’s silence has been organised for all Association of Fife Youth Football Clubs matches this weekend.
Police have appealed for anyone who saw the car or had information to help their inquiry to get in touch.
Sergeant Ewan Pearce, of Fife road police unit, said: “Sadly a 17-year old has lost his life in this incident and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.
“Our inquiries to establish the events leading up to and surrounding this incident continue. We would urge anyone who may have seen the black Vauxhall Corsa travelling in the area at the time, or who may have information about it, to get in touch.
“Anyone with information can call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident 1257 of November 11, or make an anonymous call to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”