Gamekeeper dies in quad bike crash nine years after sister killed in shooting
A YOUNG gamekeeper has died after a quad bike accident in a second family tragedy only a few years after his sister was accidentally shot dead by her boyfriend.
David Taylor, 27, was fatally injured when he fell off the vehicle.
It is believed that his fiancee, Christie McInnes, raised the alarm.
An air ambulance, road ambulances, a trauma team, police and two fire crews were sent to Clachbain Farm, but Mr Taylor could not be saved. The farm is part of the Muckrach Estate at Dulnain Bridge, near Grantown-on-Spey, Moray.
It is the second tragedy to hit the Taylor family in nine years, after his 16-year-old sister Sophie was shot dead by her gamekeeper boyfriend Calum Murray as he cleaned his gun in their cottage.
The 18-year-old then went to the front porch at the house near Tomintoul, Banffshire, and turned the weapon on himself.
The pair were found dead on April 12, 2011, on the Glenavon Estate, which is used for shooting, deer stalking and fishing.
After the gun tragedy, colleagues of Mr Murray said he was a reliable young man who was considered to be responsible and careful around firearms.
At the time, locals in Tomintoul described the double shooting as ‘like a Greek tragedy’.
Miss Taylor’s father and grandfather were both gamekeepers. Relatives of Mr Taylor said his parents, David and Katie, did not want to speak yesterday.
But members of the community, which rallied around after the tragic shooting nine years ago, said they would do all they can to support the Taylor family.
One resident said: ‘It’s unbelievable. It’s just so, so tragic, the whole village is devastated.
‘I feel for them both, they will be absolutely distraught. Any death of a young person is terrible but they’ve lost both children in very tragic circumstances.
‘It’s difficult to visit at this time and there can’t be a big funeral.
‘But I’m sure they are aware of the feelings and sympathies of the village towards them.
‘Like all small places, everyone here is ready to support them.’
Another villager said: ‘We are very, very sorry for the family. It’s a dreadful thing to have happened, an awful tragedy.’
It is understood Mr Taylor was working for a sporting tenant when the accident happened. As he was at work, a fatal accident inquiry will be held in due course.
Alex Hogg, chairman of the Scottish Gamekeepers Association said: ‘This awful news has shaken the gamekeeping community.
‘The whole family is held in such high regard. To lose young lives in this way is just beyond words.
‘It is almost impossible to imagine the pain being felt just now by everyone connected to the tragedy and the association passes on our deepest and sincere condolences.’
A Police Scotland spokesman said: ‘Around 5.50pm on Tuesday, August 18, police were called to a report of a man injured after falling from a quad bike near to Dulnain Bridge, Grantownon-Spey.
‘Police and ambulance attended, however the 27-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.
‘There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident and a full report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.’
At the time of Miss Taylor’s death her family said that they were devastated at the loss of their ‘beautiful daughter’ Sophie.
They said she would be greatly missed ‘by us, her brother and her grandparents, as well as her many friends’. They added: ‘She was studying for standard grades at Speyside High School and had plans to continue working towards becoming a social worker.
‘Sophie was bright and bubbly and loved spending time with her family and friends. We are immensely proud of her.
‘We are a close family and are completely shocked to have lost her so prematurely.’
‘The whole village is devastated’