City teenager killed on holiday

James Waddell, 18, was just days into a fortnight's holiday on the Greek island of Zante when he was hit by a car after falling from a quad-bike in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Reports suggest he clipped the back of another quad-bike and fell onto the road, where he was struck by a taxi. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident with a distraught friend reportedly holding his hand.

It is understood members of his family – including mum Margaret Beaton, sister Louise and brother David – have flown out to Greece, while his friends have since returned home to Scotland.

His father Glenn, 47 said: "James was a happy-go-lucky guy and nothing fazed him. He was the real joker of the pack."

A fundraising campaign launched to bring his body home has raised 1000.

The former Forrester High School pupil was with a large group of friends in the holiday resort of Laganas and just three days into the holiday when the accident happened.

Mr Waddell had worked as a trainee fitter at a vehicle repair centre in Blackhall since leaving school in 2007.

In a message posted on the Evening News website following news of his death, colleagues at Farmer Autocare in Blackhall said: "You were a good lad, we'll miss your banter – from all the lads at Farmers. RIP buddy."

Jim McLean, general manager at the centre, who was his boss for three years said news of his death had left his staff "shocked and distraught".

"He was one of those lads who was very honest and very hard working," said Mr McLean.

"James was a very straight forward kinda guy and came to us straight from school.

"He had the most gorgeous smile you have ever seen. You just couldn't help laughing when he came in.

"His smile was electric and you looked forward to seeing him in the morning. It brightened up the whole place and he always had something good to tell you from the night before."

Mr McLean said the teenager, from Dalry, was a very popular employee and had been excited about his upcoming holiday."

Friends have set up a Facebook tribute page. One friend, Samantha Cumming wrote: "I know Connor sat with you, James, holding your hand talking to you, you were not alone."

And Derek Curran, headteacher at Forrester High School, said: "James was a sensitive student who always had a high regard for the needs of others. He left school in 2007, but has always been close to his peer group, many of who were with him on holiday in Zante.

"The news of his death at the weekend came as a great shock and all of our thoughts and condolences are with James' family and friends at this sad time."

Reports today claimed some of the boys were stopped by police before the accident but were allowed to continue on their journey.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We can confirm the death of a British national in Greece on 20 June. Next of kin have been informed and offered consular assistance."