By Rob McLaren

AN 18-YEAR-OLD driver was killed in a car crash in Broughty Ferry only hours before his younger sister was due to celebrate her 16th birthday.

Kyle Stitchell had just started work with a surveying firm last week, having left school in the summer.

He died when his silver Fiat hit a lamp-post in Dundee Road at about 12.45 am on Saturday.

Firefighters had to use hydraulic cutting gear to free Kyle’s body and two passengers from the wreckage.

His five passengers were all taken to hospital for treatment, but police last night described them all as being “walking wounded.”

As numerous friends and former classmates from Grove Academy laid flowers at the accident site throughout the weekend, Kyle’s family spoke of their “utter disbelief” at his death.

The teenager lived in Fyne Road, Broughty Ferry, with his parents Euan and Joyce and younger sister Karyn, who turned 16 yesterday.

His older sister Kerry (23) is a teacher at a Dundee primary school.

Mr Stitchell said he had learned of his son’s death when police came to the door at 3.30 am, adding, “We are devastated—it’s a feeling of utter disbelief.

“A post-mortem is going to be carried out on the body, and the scene is being analysed by police in an attempt to discover what happened.

“Family and friends have been visiting since they learned about the accident,” he said.

“They have been trying to help us through this,” he added.

Kyle had just completed his first week’s work with Survey Solutions—a land, engineering and architectural surveying firm—in Scone.

His father said, “Like many young men he wasn’t sure what he wanted to do, but this was a good opportunity for him. He was happy to have the job.

“Kyle had a lively personality.

“He was an excellent boy who had lots of friends.

“He was into football and loved driving.”

An investigation is under way into the single-vehicle accident, which prompted the closure of the road for more than five hours.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident.

Anyone who was in the area at the time or has any information about the incident should contact officers on 01382 223200.