A teenager tragically died on holiday in Perthshire while walking the family pet when he slipped and hit his head climbing a fence.
Tributes have been paid to the youngster, who was out playing with the family dog at Perth Racecourse when the accident happened.
The barking of the pet, called Rover, alerted a passer-by who found Phillip Collins (14), of Stenhousemuir, at around 4.20pm on Friday.
He had climbed over a fence at the racecourse, slipped and hit his head.
Described as a boy who ”loved life,”Phillip, who had ASD (autism spectrum disorder), had been on holiday with his family at Scone Caravan Site when the accident took place.
His parents, Marie Love and Allan Collins, are ”absolutely devastated” by the tragedy, with family member, Iain McDonald (47), speaking of a ”wee boy who was a tonic.”
Mr McDonald, of Denny, said the family, which includes Phillip’s sisters Alanah (19), Cara (8) and Hayleigh (7), are coming to terms with their loss.
”It is horrible and Marie is in another world just now she is absolutely devastated,” he said.
”The family were having their tea when Phillip was out walking the Rover, a blue roan cocker spaniel.
”He went over one of the fences at Perth Racecourse, which is beside the caravan site, and I understand he was still holding on to the lead when the fatal accident occurred.
”He had climbed over a fence, slipped and hit his head. Phillip was found by a passer-by shortly after his death because Rover was barking.”
Mr McDonald said the teenager had a ”great relationship” with the dog and ”showed a lot of care” for other people.
”Phillip loved life and living,” he added.
”You couldn’t help liking him. He was like a wee boy who was a tonic.
”He didn’t like a lot of noise but he loved happy songs ones that were cheery and bouncy.
”The family had gone up to the caravan site on the Monday and had it booked until the Sunday, with Marie arranging it all. It’s a real tragedy.”
He continued: ”There were a lot of people at the caravan site who offered to help after Phillip was found.
”We live in strange times but when the chips are down it shows that there is still a lot of kindness in the world.”
Marie had set up the charity Falkirk Autistic Bairns to work with and support children with autism.
Sam Morsehead, general manager at Perth Racecourse, expressed his sadness.
”We are all absolutely devastated at this tragic accident and have huge sympathy for Phillip’s family,” he said.
A spokesperson for Tayside Police commented: ”Tayside Police can confirm they attended the sudden death of a 14-year old boy at 4.20pm on Friday August 3, near to a campsite in Scone.
”There are no suspicious circumstances and, as with all sudden deaths, a report has been submitted to procurator fiscal.”
A spokesperson for the ScottishAmbulance Service said: ”The boy had been seen playing on the racecourse shortly before this fatality.
”When we arrived, three doctors were there along with the police but Phillip was declared deceased at the scene.”
It is understood that a post mortem will take place on Wednesday.