Tragic man was soon to become a grandad

KIRKCALDY: James Ogilivie died following fall from 20ft Christmas tree

A man who died in a fall from a 20ft Christmas tree was about to became a grandad again.

James Ogilvie had excitedly announced that his daughter was due to give birth just hours before the tragic accident in Kirkcaldy yesterday.

Daughter Amber Mitchell, who is expecting a son, learned the devastating news on her due date.

Police are investigating the death but said it was not being treated as suspicious.

They have yet to release Mr Ogilvie’s identity, but Amber and others paid tribute to her father on social media.

Staff from a nearby nightclub rushed to Mr Ogilvie’s aid after seeing him climb the fir then plunge to the ground when the top snapped.

Paramedics fought to save him at the scene but Mr Ogilvie died later in hospital.

A man who died after falling from a Fife town’s Christmas tree was due to become a grandad again that day.

James Ogilvie passed away in hospital yesterday shortly after plunging from the 20ft fir in Kirkcaldy.

Pregnant daughter Amber Mitchell’s due date was yesterday.

Mr Ogilvie, of Cupar, had excitedly posted on Facebook on Thursday: “Looks like I’m going to be a grandad in the next 24 hours.”

But hours later paramedics were desperately trying to save his life as he lay unresponsive on the ground next to the tree by the Town House in Kirkcaldy.

Police, who have yet to release his identity, are investigating his death but are not treating it as suspicious.

Amber, 23, who is expecting a son, paid tribute to her father on Facebook, posting “RIP dad” and photographs of him.

However, she was too upset to speak to The Courier.

Staff at the nearby Kitty’s nightclub saw Mr Ogilvie, who had not been in the club and was believed to be on his own, climb the illuminated tree then fall to the grass below when the top snapped off.

Nightclub owner Mario Caira said: “We saw him up the tree and then fall out of the tree.

“We called an ambulance and tried to help the guy. We put him in the recovery position.”

He said he and staff were shocked to learn that Mr Ogilvie had later died and added: “Our thoughts are with his family.”

Fife Council employees arrived for work later yesterday morning to see a police cordon around the end of the building where the tree stands.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Police in Fife were called to a report of an unresponsive man in the Hunter Street area of Kirkcaldy around 2.55am on Friday December 14.

“The man was treated at the scene then conveyed to Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy by the Scottish Ambulance Service where he later sadly passed away.

“The death is being treated as nonsuspicious and inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.

“A report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.”

A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service said yesterday: “We received a call at 2.53am this morning to attend a patient in Hunter Street, Kirkcaldy.

“We dispatched two ambulance crews to the scene and a male patient in his 50s to Kirkcaldy Hospital.”

Tribute was paid to Mr Ogilvie on social media.

Liam Burgess posted: “Rest in peace, James R Ogilvie. Safe to say I’m shocked, you’ll be missed by lots. Take it easy up there big ain!”

Neil Crooks, chairman of the council’s Kirkcaldy area committee, said: “This is a tragic thing to happen at this time of year.

“Our thoughts are with the family at this time.”

The town’s MP, Lesley Laird, said: “This is tragic news, especially at Christmas, and my thoughts are with the man’s family and friends at this time.”

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We saw him up the tree and then fall out of the tree. We called an ambulance and tried to help the guy. We put him in the recovery position