The family of a father and son killed in a motorcycle accident in the Borders told how the loss will leave a hole in their lives.
Colin Rafferty (51) and his 15-year-old son Keir, from Tweedbank near Galashiels, died on Friday evening when their BMW bike left the A72.Keir had been riding pillion at the time.
Colin’s widow Brenda and Keir’s brothers Craig and Neil are in mourning, but said, “The memories of their lives will keep us smiling and laughing at the many antics the two would get up to.”
Brenda recalled Colin “was not just a wonderful father and husband, but the best friend to his three sons.
“He was passionate about life and lived it to the full. He will be remembered by friends, colleagues and the wider community from his role as a community psychiatric nurse and as a football coach for Gala Fairydean Youths.”
Keir, she said, “was the youngest son and the centre of all our lives.””He brightened up any room he walked into with his cheeky grin, and being a young man who said a lot in a few words.
“He loved his football and was a natural pillion passenger. He and his dad loved the bike, travelling in the UK and Europe together.”
Keir was also a player for the Gala Fairydean Football Club’s Under-17s side and yesterday the club’s website paid tribute to the pair, saying that the whole of Gala Fairydean were in shock at the news.
“We, players, coaches and committee offer our condolences to his family,” the website stated.
A minute’s applause was held in tribute to Mr Rafferty and his son at the club’s match against Berwick Rangers reserves.
In another Borders accident, the main A7 road was closed for almost three hours on Saturday morning following a three-car crash at the entrance to the wind farm, near Stow, at 6.20am.
One person was injured and taken to Borders General Hospital.