Parents warn of drink danger after birthday party ends in tragedy

Published on Monday 4 February 2008 21:19

THE heartbroken parents of a teenager killed by a train after celebrating his birthday yesterday warned of the dangers of youth drinking.

Roddy Stewart, who would have turned 17 yesterday, had been out with friends last Friday night and was heading home in a blizzard when he was struck by a snow-clearing train at Culloden, near Inverness.

It is thought he may have become disorientated in the blizzard and wandered on to the track by accident at about 3am.

Last night, his father, Alisdair, said he and his wife, Rhona, wanted the tragedy to highlight the dangers involved with drinking too much alcohol.

"I have no doubt that drink was a major contributory factor in the course of events at the weekend," he said.

"Young people seem to think they are invincible. They think that because they are 16 or 17, then they cannot die. They do things for effect and do not think about the consequences.

"Having a good time seems to override responsibility for themselves and their friends. We know that we will not stop youngsters experimenting, but even if the message saves one life, it will have been worth it."

He went on: "Roddy's death was entirely avoidable. This is a tragic accident which, to us, simply highlights the dangers involved in the over-consumption of alcohol."

Roddy, a pupil at Culloden Academy, had hoped to take a course in English and Film Studies at St Andrews University.

His mother said he had an encyclopaedic knowledge of film and had a passion for creative writing, music and drama, as well as being a keen pianist. He was writing the school play and was 20,000 words into a novel.

Mr Stewart said one of his son's strengths was his kind and compassionate nature, but this was also one of his weaknesses.

"He didn't want to say no to people. He would go along with the social convention and if that meant going out to celebrate his forthcoming birthday with friends, then he would do it. Inevitably, at that age, alcohol is involved at some stage, he said."

A private service will be held at Inverness Crematorium on Friday, followed by a memorial service at Culloden Academy.

Stephen Dowds, the school's rector, said Roddy, who had a sister, Eilidh, 14, was a "vibrant and energetic" pupil and extremely popular.

British Transport Police are trying to put together Roddy's last movements. Sergeant Bob Cameron said: "At the moment, we know Roddy was in the company of a group of friends and was last seen by them around 11:45pm on Friday. We are anxious to find out where he was between that time and 2:55am on Saturday."