THE parents of a Scots ski champion allegedly killed by a drunk driver in the US have claimed their son "lived life to the fullest".
Craig Macfie, of Edinburgh, was knocked down in Eugene, Oregon, as he cycled through the town in the early hours of Friday morning.
The 24-year-old, who was studying at the University of Oregon, was hit by driver and fellow student Patrick Compton, 21, who has been charged with second-degree manslaughter and drink driving.
Mr Macfie was rushed to hospital following the incident and his family flew to the US to be at his side, but he died the next day.
His brother Alastair, 22, wrote online: “He was surrounded when we got to Oregon by many of his American friends who had kept vigil over him until we arrived.
“He received the best of care from a wonderful hospital with caring professional staff.”
On Sunday, Mr Macfie’s parents, Rosemary and Andrew, attended a memorial service organised by the university to pay tribute to their son.
Mr Macfie said he was touched by the number of students he saw at the hospital supporting his son.
He added: “Craig did many things in his 24 years. He lived life to the fullest.”
The memorial included a slide show of the business and sports marketing student, which showed him competing with the British Alpine Ski Team.
Jane Harvey, head of Snowsport Scotland, said Mr Macfie was a “fantastic talent”.
She added: “This is a terrible loss to the sport. He skied for the Scottish and Team GB teams from school age.”
Mr Macfie competed with Team GB at the University Winter Games in 2009.
He was due to graduate next month and had already lined up a job interview with a sports marketing firm in London.
Compton faces a mandatory prison term of six years and three months if convicted of causing the skier’s death.
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