By Leeza Clark, Aileen Robertson and Stewart Ross

A HEAD-ON crash in Fife claimed the lives of two men yesterday—a teenage footballer from Lumphinnans and a Stirlingshire man.

The crash, involving a car and a van, happened on the A915 Standing Stane road between Kirkcaldy and Leven at around 7.15 am and resulted in the deaths of 19-year-old Gareth Blackadder and George Couper (33).

An immediate and major emergency services response was launched, with paramedics arriving at the scene within a few minutes of the first 999 calls.

The entire route was closed between the Boreland and Check Bar roads as the casualties were removed and a meticulous investigation was launched by Fife Police accident investigation department.

It was quickly established that the vehicles apparently collided head-on.

The car, a green Citroen Xantia being driven by Mr Couper, had been travelling west towards Kirkcaldy, while Mr Blackadder’s white Fiat van had been travelling in the opposite direction.

The two men were the sole occupants of their respective vehicles, both of which were wrecked by the collision.

A major commuter route, the A915 was closed for most of the morning causing significant delays throughout the area.

Mr Couper had been living in Waggon Road, Leven, but is believed to a native of the Falkirk area, in which his family still live.

The close-knit Fife community of Lumphinnans was left in shock by the loss of Mr Blackadder, a striker with Kelty Hearts Juniors.

Amelia Howie, Lumphinnans Tenants’ and Residents’ Association treasurer, said “The whole place will be devastated by this news.

“Gareth was such a nice person—the Blackadders are a really nice family.

“Gareth was full of fun, such a fun- loving person.

“I cannot begin to think what his mum and dad are going through.”

Gareth, a former pupil of Lumphinnans Primary and Beath High School, still lived in his home village with parents Robert and Amanda, older brother Ryan and younger sister Vikki, who is still at school.

It is believed his grandparents also live in the village.

The 19-year-old was working as an apprentice plumber with Glenrothes firm Glenfield Plumbers, where yesterday the company expressed their sorrow but declined to comment further.

But outside work he—alongside brother Ryan—was a talented footballer.

Ryan was formerly with Raith Rovers and Hamilton and is now with junior side St Andrews, while Gareth was at Kelty Hearts.

Kelty Hearts treasurer Shug Wells said the tragedy had devastated everyone involved with the Central Park club.

“The whole team is quite close and everyone is devastated. He was such a young man.

“The players I have spoken to are shocked and stunned.

“Our thoughts go out to his family.”

At his former high school, acting Rector Dr Morna Fleming, said, “We’re all very sad that his life has ended in such an untimely way, given how young he was and that he has family still in school.”

Magnus More was Gareth’s guidance teacher during his time as a Beath pupil from 1997 to 2001.

Paying tribute to him, he said, “Gareth was a popular member of his year group and had many friends.”

The police are asking anyone who witnessed the accident yesterday to contact them as soon as possible on (01592) 251111.