Devastated friends have paid tribute to a much loved Fife man who lost his life after going swimming at Lochore Meadows Country Park.
Keivan Ulhaq of Cowdenbeath, who was just 20 years old, got into difficulty while swimming with a friend in Loch Ore on Saturday evening.
Bystanders who heard his shouts for help launched a rescue effort and emergency services rushed to the scene.
But tragically, Keivan passed away shortly after being taken to Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy.
Friends struggling to take in the news took to social media to pay tribute to Keivan.
Emma Rosocki described him as “truly one of the sweetest and kindest souls I have ever met”.
She said: “Please hug your family and friends tight tonight you never know when it will be the last time.”
Caitlin-leigh Bryans said Keivan was “one in a million, one of the soundest guys out there.”
And Jay Ross said: “You will always be in my heart, you were taken to soon, will miss having you around and always seeing your big smile and you always cheering me up even on the worst of days.”
His school friend Sophie Cain said: “Can’t believe I’m writing this right now Keivan you were only 20 years old you didn’t deserve any of this.
“This world is a cruel world always taking young lives away, I’m going to miss you so much, will always be on my mind, I love and miss you so much rest easy my brother.”
Members of the public were involved in a desperate bid to save Keivan, including two people in a boat.
Local man Brian Brown described his son Nathan as a hero for pulling Keivan out of the water.
“So proud,” he said in a post on Facebook, and extended his condolences to the family.
Keivan’s aunt, Cassie Grieve, replied: “I would like to thank your son for helping pull my nephew out the water.”
She added that her sister, Keivan’s mother Sheena, would like to thank those who tried to help in person.
A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said: “Around 6pm on Saturday June 20, police were called to a report that a 20-year-old man had gotten into difficulty in water at Lochmore Meadows and had been pulled out.
“He was taken to Victoria Hospital for treatment but died a short time later.”
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that crews had assisted at the scene.
