The family of a Tayside man killed in a fatal bus crash outside Aberdeen have paid tribute to the larger-than-life character.
Ian Fordyce, 68, from the Dundee area, was fatally injured as he took pupils to Lathallan School in Johnshaven on Friday morning.
The collision occurred near Maryculter Bridge around 7.45am and involved a red Audi A5 car, a white DAF lorry and a single-decker bus belonging to Laurencekirk firm M W Nicoll.
In a statement, his family said: “Ian, affectionately known as ‘Fingers’ to most of his friends was very well known and popular with everyone he met.
“He drove coaches for 40 years and loved every minute of it.
“He will be a sorely missed brother, father, grandfather and friend.”
The male drivers of the car and lorry, aged 40 and 56 respectively, were taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary with nonlife threatening injuries, but Mr Fordyce was pronounced dead at the scene.
The 13 shocked children on board escaped with cuts and bruises and clambered to safety through an emergency exit.
Sergeant Rob Warnock, of the Road Policing Unit, said: “This was a tragic incident which has resulted in a 68-year-old man losing his life.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.’
“I would appeal to anyone who may have seen the crash or who may have seen any of the vehicles shortly beforehand to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 633 of 15/12/17.”
Lathallan School is offering children counselling and the headmaster and staff will be monitoring the situation and will be on hand over the holidays if parents have any concerns.
Conservative councillor George Carr, who represents the Mearns ward where the school is located, said: “My thoughts go out to those affected and the families of the bus driver and children.
“It is a very traumatic experience and my thoughts go to the bus driver’s family.
“It is very sad news – especially so close to Christmas.”
The road was closed for several hours while crash scene investigators examined the area.
Labour councillor Tauqeer Malik, who represents the Lower Deeside ward where the accident happened, said: “It’s sad for the children on the bus who were going to school and it is sad for the community to go through something like this.
“And for this to happen at this time of year, with the children looking forward to the holiday is saddening.”
