By Michael Alexander

The father of a 20-year-old man who died following a road accident in north-east Fife paid tribute yesterday to his “quiet and fun-loving” son who “lived for cars.”

Ryan Swankie, of Auld Burn Park, in St Andrews, died instantly after the Volkswagen Polo he was driving was involved in a collision with two other vehicles on the A91 between Dairsie and Cupar on Wednesday morning.

The apprentice mechanic with Barnett’s Central Motors in St Andrews was on his way to a day release course at Fife College in Kirkcaldy when the accident happened.

Speaking to The Courier yesterday, Ryan’s father Brian, who lives in Anstruther, where he works as a cabinet maker, explained how he was on his first day back at work after the new year break when he received a phone call from Ryan’s mother Ruth, who lives in St Andrews, informing him of the news.

Raised in St Andrews and Pittenweem, Ryan attended Pittenweem Primary School and Madras College in St Andrews.

He left Madras at 16 to take a motor engineering course at Elmwood College, Cupar, and started work with Bassaguard Garage in St Andrews before moving down Largo Road to work at Barnett’s.

He was in his final year of an apprenticeship.

He had been driving since around the age of 18 and had owned the Volkswagen Polo for over a year.

Mr Swankie recalled, “He loved cars and motor sport and this was expressed through his job and hobby.

“He lived for cars.

“His car was his hobby and it was always spotless.

“He was pals with the young local racing driver Andrew Kirkaldy and they would go to motor sport events together.

“Ryan also went to the Crail Thrash and Dash as a spectator. He enjoyed doing what he did. For this to happen is such a waste.”

Staff at Barnett’s in St Andrews have paid their own tribute to Ryan with a card and flowers to the Swankie family.

On behalf of the staff, branch manager Robert Nee said, “Words seem so inadequate to describe how everyone at Barnett’s is feeling at the moment.

“We were all devastated when we heard of Ryan’s accident yesterday and the workshop already seems such an empty place without him. . . Ryan’s car was a huge part of his life and it was very satisfying to see someone who took such great pride not only in his work but also his hobby.

“Ryan was without doubt the most frequent user of the pressure washer here at the garage and his car was the cleanest in town. . . always.

“His presence around us all both in and out of his working hours will be sadly missed...”

Ryan, who lived in St Andrews with his mother and a sister, is survived by his parents, two sisters and a half brother.