By Mark Mackay

A PERTHSHIRE mother was yesterday struggling to come to terms with the tragic loss of her teenage son.

Terry Inkster, one of four brothers, was killed in a road accident on Monday, aged just 17.

His family described him as a practical joker with a “mischievous smile.”

The youngster was driving between Auchterarder and his home in Aberuthven when he was involved in a two-car collision.

Having left work at Donald Kirk Ltd in Perth, he was driven by a friend to Auchterarder to pick up his car, which was in for an MoT.

Tragically, the former Auchterarder High School pupil did not make it the short distance home.

Terry’s is not the first untimely death in the family. His father was killed in a motor cycle accident 12 years ago.

Yesterday his grieving mother Tina Edment paid tribute to the popular and friendly teenager.

“He was such a helpful lad and would do anything for anyone,” she said.

“He was always up to mischief too, but had that cheeky smile that always made you forgive him.”

Though the family originally hails from Dunning, Terry spent all his life in Aberuthven and had many friends in the area.

He regularly joined pals at the new school where they enjoyed playing football on the astroturf.

Tina revealed he had kept them on their toes, saying, “He was always playing practical jokes on his friends.

“His party trick was shaving their eyebrows. His pals always said, ‘Don’t let me sleep, Terry’s here.’ ”

Since leaving school Terry had worked at the Donald Kirk Body Repair Centre as an apprentice spray painter.

“He loved his job, loved his car and loved playing football,” said Tina.

“He was just a typical young laddie.”

Terry is survived by his mother, stepdad Robbie and brothers Scott, Robert and Charlie.

Emergency services rushed to the scene of Monday’s accident on the A824, which links Auchterarder and Aberuthven, shortly before 5 pm.

They found Terry trapped in the wreckage of his prized Suzuki Swift.

Though he was quickly freed by firefighters, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Anyone who may have witnessed the accident is asked to contact the police on 01738 621141.