A young man killed in an early morning road accident in Fife had just been accepted to go and work offshore on North Sea oil rigs as a chef, his family said.
George Nutman, 25, of Valley Gardens South, Kirkcaldy, was at the wheel of a green Honda Civic which collided with a wall on Largo Road in Leven at about 2am on Thursday.
No other vehicle was involved in the accident.
The former pupil of Balwearie High School who went on to study at Adam Smith College had worked as a chef at various establishments including The Kingarroch Inn, Dakota in Edinburgh and Orocco Pier at South Queensferry.
He was driving home alone on his regular route from the Crusoe Hotel in Lower Largo, where he worked as a second chef, when the accident happened. His family said they understood he had been celebrating with colleagues before making the journey.
His father Ian Nutman told The Courier George was the second of six children he and his wife Edwina had adopted. They had adopted George through the Barnardos charity when he was just 11 months old. Mr Nutman said George had been “over the moon” because just last Friday he attended Motherwell College and had passed a skills test to work as a chef on the North Sea rigs.
Mr Nutman said: “He was a lovely guy. Cheerful. He put on a macho image but beneath the surface he was a softy who doted on his five brothers and sisters. We’re sad to lose him but he had a happy life.”
Mrs Nutman, who was comforting George’s long-term girlfriend Lauren at the family home in Valley Gardens South, said: “He had his issues but he was a good lad. He was all set to go and work on the rigs.”
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “The A915 was closed to allow investigation and recovery work to be carried out but has since reopened.
“Enquiries are ongoing, and anyone who witnessed the collision is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101.”