The victim of this week’s Aberdeenshire mill tragedy was killed on his 49th birthday, it has emerged.
David Leslie, of Balmedie, died on Monday morning in the industrial accident at the East Coast Viners Grain operation at Drumlithie, near Stonehaven.
Mr Leslie’s devastated family paid tribute to a “genuine person with a bubbly personality”.
The family statement said: “David was an arable farmer at the family farm in Balmedie.
“David was the second son of Pat and the late Alice Mary. His brother Kenneth died tragically at the age of six. He leaves an older sister, Sheila, brother-in-law James, nephew Steven and niece Carolyn.”
Mr Leslie was educated in the north-east and left school at the age of 16 to take an agricultural course at Clinterty College.
He then worked full-time on the family farm with his father before taking full control a number of years later.
“David enjoyed farming. He was very knowledgeable and kept accurate records on his computer. He was very kind to animals,” the family added.
“David was a truly genuine person who had a bubbly and infectious personality. He normally had a smile on his face and could always be relied upon to brighten your day.
“He enjoyed hill walking, photography and music but he particularly enjoyed meeting and helping people.”
Police said that a report had been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.