A tragic Kirkcaldy teenager has given the gift of life to others by donating his organs.
Young dad Gary Wallace passed away in hospital on Thursday after being fatally injured during an incident in the town at the weekend. Police have launched a murder investigation and are trying to piece together what happened around the time the 17-year-old was attacked in Kelso Place in the early hours of Sunday.
A man has been arrested and is expected to appear before a sheriff in Kirkcaldy next week in connection with the death.
Mr Wallace’s distraught mother Jane paid tribute to her son and revealed he had donated his pancreas, heart valves, kidneys and liver to give others the chance of a better life.
She said: ”Gary was an amazing person, loving son, brother, grandson, nephew, friend, dad and doting uncle. Nothing can describe how much he will be missed and he will always be remembered for his outgoing, loving and caring personality.
”He had a heart of gold and was a lovable little rogue who was the baby of a family of five. He was a really helpful boy who had just begun to start his adult life, attending college and being a new dad to baby Sophie.
”He loved his two dogs, Leo and Diesel, and nothing can describe the loss and pain we feel as a family. In this tragic time for the family, we draw comfort from the fact that he is helping to save the lives of others.
“We are grateful for the support we have received from the local community, but now need time and space to grieve and would request that we are left in peace.”
Fife Constabulary said Mr Wallace sustained his injuries between midnight and 2.30am on Sunday. He was taken to accident and emergency at Victoria Hospital, which is just across the road from the crime scene, and was later transferred to the Western General in Edinburgh, where he was treated in intensive care. It is understood he was being kept alive by a life support machine.
Neighbours described how the street became the focus of intense police activity. The block of flats where the incident took place was cordoned off by police and officers conducted door to door inquiries.