ARMY CHIEFS yesterday paid tribute to the leader of the Blue Arrows motorcycle display team, Staff Sergeant Paul Eaton (45), from Dunfermline, after he died in a training accident.

Mr Eaton (45), who originally came from London and served in the army for 22 years, joined the Scottish Transport Regiment unit based in Dunfermline in 1998 as regimental sergeant major.

Although he retired in 2000 he rejoined the regiment as a non-regular and was responsible for its fleet of vehicles.

He was killed as the display team were practising one of their routines in the car park of the Royal Highland Show ground at Ingliston in Edinburgh.

The Ministry of Defence said Mr Eaton’s family were present when the accident happened. They were too upset to speak about the tragedy yesterday.

Lt Col Phillip Couser, his commanding officer, said, “Paul was a man of unstinting loyalty and devotion whose dedication to the regiment and its soldiers made him irreplaceable.

“It goes without saying that, as a well-liked and respected member of a very close-knit team, he will be sorely missed.”

As well as his usual duties Mr Eaton helped manage and perform with the Blue Arrows.

In a statement issued yesterday the army said Mr Eaton single-handedly rescued the display team in 2004 when the deployment to Iraq of many of its members nearly led it to fold.

A spokesman said, “This achievement is undeniably due to the exceptional commitment, endeavour and leadership of Staff Sergeant Eaton and was recognised recently when he was awarded a Commander in Chief Certificate of Commendation.”

“The thoughts and condolences of the commanding officer and all ranks of the regiment are with his family at this terribly sad time.”