PROSECUTORS have ruled out a Fatal Accident Inquiry into the death of a masters student after a beer festival.
Scott Calder, 23, died following a night at an Oktoberfest-themed event in East Lothian last year, having become separated from friends.
He was highly intoxicated when leaving the festival at Gosford House, Longniddry, and was picked up by police after members of the public raised concerns for his safety.
However officers dropped Scott at a remote bus stop, without any phone or wallet, and he was found dead nearby the following morning.
His parents Brian and Karen Calder have been fighting for answers since their son's death on October 14, 2018, and had initially hoped an FAI would provide more information about why Scott was left by police.
They have since agreed an inquiry may not provide the answers they are looking for, an instead hope Police Scotland will respond to more than 70 questions they have asked them about the events surrounding Scott's death.
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal service have now confirmed they will not be holding an inquiry, and said it was not in the public interest to do so.
Mr Calder said: "As Scott's family, we welcome the latest progress on the investigation into Scott's death by the Crown Office. While we had initially hoped for a fatal accident inquiry,we do not believe it is the best way to find out the answers about how Scott ended up where he did the night he died.
"We miss Scott every single day, and are still finding it very difficult to come to terms with what has happened to our beautiful son.
"We are still awaiting an answer to more than 70 questions we have asked Police Scotland, and we cannot do this until the case has officially been closed by the Procurator Fiscal
"We hope that police Scotland will provide us with answers to our questions. My main concern is this, and I hope we receive help from the police as they have promised. They have stated they will write to us with the answers and I believe they will do this to the best of their ability"
A spokesman for the Crown office said: “The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service has fully investigated the death of a 23 year-old man in Longniddry Bents, East Lothian on 14 October 2018.
“Following careful consideration of all relevant matters, Crown Counsel concluded that there were no systemic failures that contributed to the death and it is not in the public interest for a discretionary Fatal Accident Inquiry to be held into the circumstances of the death.
“The family have been informed of the reasons for this decision.”
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