STAFF at RAF Lossiemouth have been left devastated after a popular colleague died in a motorbike accident at the base.

No other vehicle was involved in the accident which claimed the life of the 49-year-old man at the Moray site shortly after 9pm on Monday.

But the tragedy has shocked the dead man's many friends.

In a statement, a spokeswoman for RAF Lossiemouth said: "The RAF can confirm the tragic death of a serviceman from RAF Lossiemouth in a road traffic accident. The deceased will be greatly missed on the station, where he was an extremely popular individual. We are acutely aware that he leaves behind close family and friends, and the thoughts and prayers of our personnel go out to them at this most difficult time"

The base is due to name the dead man today, when further tributes from senior officials at RAF Lossiemouth are expected.

A joint investigation between Police Scotland and the RAF is to be carried out to establish the circumstances of the collision.

The Scottish Ambulance Service were alerted to the accident at 9.12pm but were not required to attend.

A police ­spokeswoman said: "Police Scotland can confirm a 49-year-old male motorcyclist has died as the result of a one-vehicle collision on a road within the RAF Lossiemouth base. Police were alerted to the collision at around 9.15pm on Tuesday.

"As is standard an ­investigation will be carried out in liaison with the RAF and a report will be submitted to the procurator-fiscal."