Father and son die in bike crash

A FATHER and his youngest son have been killed in a motorcycle crash in the Borders.

Colin Rafferty, 51, and 15-year-old Keir died when their BMW motorbike hit trees on the outskirts of Galashiels.

Rafferty was a youth coach with local football club Gala Fairydean. He coached the under-17 squad of which Keir was a member.

Last night his wife Brenda Rafferty paid an emotional tribute to her husband and son, saying the pair had loved motorcycling and had travelled across the UK and Europe together, with Keir "a natural pillion passenger".

A minute of applause was held yesterday at the club in tribute to them before the east of Scotland league club's match against Berwick Rangers reserves.

All youth games involving the club this weekend have been cancelled as a mark of respect.

Police have appealed for witnesses as they try to find the cause of the crash, which happened on the A72 at 5.30pm on Friday as the Raffertys were travelling east towards Galashiels. Colin died at the scene while Keir was taken to Borders General Hospital where he died later from his injuries.

Brenda Rafferty described her husband as "not just a wonderful father and husband but the best friend to his three sons". In a joint statement with her sons Craig and Neil, she said: "Colin was always there for everybody, nothing was ever too much.

"He was passionate about life, and lived it to the full. He will be remembered by friends, colleagues and the wider community from his role as a community psychiatric nurse and as a football coach for Gala Fairydean Youths."

She described son Keir as "the centre of all our lives".

"He brightened up any room he walked into with his cheeky grin and being a young man who said a lot in a few words!" she said.

"He loved his football and was a natural pillion passenger. He and his dad loved the bike, travelling in UK and Europe together.

"This tragic loss will forever leave a huge hole in our family life. However, the memories of their lives will keep us smiling and laughing at the many antics the two would get up to."

Keir was a member of the club's under-17 squad and a pupil at Galashiels Academy. The family lived in nearby Tweedbank.

A club spokesman said: "As you can imagine, the whole of Gala Fairydean are in shock at these events.

"All the players, coaches and committee offer our condolences to the family."

Tributes were also paid on the pair on the club's Facebook page.

A message posted by a fellow local club read: "All players, coaches and committee at Tweedbank Thistle offer our condolences to Colin and Keir's family and friends, our thoughts are with them."

Local shopowner Steve Wilson said: "Keir was a regular customer with us here at Tweedbank late shop we would all like to send our condolences to family and friends."

Scott Lumsden, another contributor, wrote: "Terrible news, our thoughts and prayers go out to the family."