A Scot killed in a rafting accident in Alaska was originally from Dunfermline.
Business analyst Stephen Morton, 47, was pronounced dead last Tuesday after being thrown overboard in some of the world’s most difficult rapids.
The novice rafter had been persuaded to try the sport by companions during a 19-day trip in which he climbed North America’s highest peak, Mount McKinley.
Mr Morton, who lived in Cambridge with wife Vanessa Langlois, 51, and their seven-year-old son, was a former pupil of Dunfermline High School and was brought up in the town.
He also had three daughters from a previous marriage, Ione, 24, Simone, 22, and Elissa, 17.
Just before his death, Mr Morton had posted a message to friends on Facebook following his climb to the 22,320ft summit of Mount McKinley, also known as Denali.
He said: “In order to recuperate from the Denali climb, I’ve bowed to peer pressure and we are off to do some Cat 5 white water rafting. Haven’t done rafting before, but when in Alaska…”
Category five is given to the most difficult rapids. Alaskan police are investigating the tragedy.
The day after his death, Vanessa posted a message telling Mr Morton’s friends about the accident. She said: “He was so happy to have made the summit of Denali and back. He was so looking forward to coming home and sharing his pictures and stories with us all. However, he drowned in a rafting accident. We are in shock and disbelief.”
Mr Morton was on a trip organised by North American firm NOVA when his raft overturned on Six Mile Creek, near the town of Hope. His fellow rafters, also thrown into the river, pulled him from the water and attempted to resuscitate him. He was taken to Providence Alaska Medical Center, in Anchorage, but declared dead.