The family of a young mountain biking enthusiast have told how he 'lived, breathed and slept' for the sport after he was killed in a collision while out riding on a quiet rural road.
Keiran McKandie, 16, died on Sunday morning after a crash involving a Volkswagen Golf on the B9010 Kellas to Dallas, near Forres, in Moray.
The death has devastated his parents who described him as a 'beautiful' boy who was their only child and the love of their lives.
Keiran, of Elgin, was described as their 'reason for living' in a statement issued through Police Scotland.
But they said it was for mountain biking that he lived and spent all his spare hours involved in the hobby.
The statement said: “Keiran lived, breathed, slept and dreamt downhill mountain biking - it was his world. Even while he was eating his breakfast, he would be searching for biking videos on the internet.
"He loved all his biking buddies and shredding the tracks, and he was at his happiest when he was biking.
“Keiran was hard working, genuine, caring, kind, loving, had a witty sense of humour and was ill tricked. He touched the hearts of everyone that was lucky to know him."
The pupil at Elgin Academy had many friends both at school and in the biking community and had been planning a holiday with eight of them during the Easter holidays.
The statement described him as "the love of our lives and the reason for living.
It said: "He was our only child, a devoted grandson, nephew, cousin and friend to many" It went onto say that despite his death, he would remain forever in the family's hearts and never leave them.
The family also paid tribute to medical crews and members of the public who tried to save Kieran's life at the scene.
The incident happend at 10.50am near the village of Craigend. The B9010 was closed for much of Sunday.
The statement added: "As a family we would like to thank the emergency services and all that attended and tried their very best to save him. We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to them at this horrific time.
The Golf driver was shocked but unhurt.
Inspector John Baron has appealed for information, adding that anyone who had yet to come forward and witnessed the incident, should do so by calling police on 101.
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