People in the picturesque Fife village of Collessie are slowly coming to terms with the tragic loss of a pedestrian who died after being hit by a car.
The 47-year-old was killed after being struck by a silver Volkswagen Beetle on the A91, near to the junction with the B937, just after 9pm on Saturday night.
No one else was hurt in the incident, although the driver of the car involved was understood to have been left badly shaken.
The victim will not be named by police until next of kin have been fully informed, but the crash left many locals shocked when news slowly filtered through the rural area yesterday.
Sergeant James Henry said: “Our thoughts are with the man’s family at this difficult time.
“I ask anyone who may have seen a man walking in the area of the A91 around that time on Saturday, or who witnessed the incident, to please get in touch.”
Police Scotland could not comment on suggestions the man lived locally, although the accident took place near the main Trafalgar House bus stop which is used by many local bus services.
Many people in the village were unaware of the tragedy that had unfolded less than a mile away.
One woman, who did not wish to be named, lives just yards from the scene and was shocked to hear what had happened.
“I just saw the flashing blue lights and they were there from about 9pm to around 11pm, but I certainly didn’t think it was anything as serious as this,” she told The Courier.
Another resident had been at a Burns supper in nearby Giffordtown on Saturday night and was told to find another way home.
“I didn’t know what had happened but only found out today that a pedestrian had been knocked down and killed,” he said.
“I had been at the village hall in Giffordtown and there were quite a few local people from here down at that, but we came home around 9.45pm or 10pm and saw the police at the T junction.
“I just thought it might have been a car that had left the road after hitting ice, because that sort of thing has happened before here, but nothing like this.
“I just hope it wasn’t someone from the village, but why on earth would someone be walking there at that time of night? It’s very sad.”
The Courier understands that no charges are likely to be brought against the driver and it appears to have been a tragic accident.
However, further investigations will continue over the next few days.
Anyone with any information can contact Police Scotland on 101.