Parents of crash marine and sister tell of their grief

The Royal Marine officer who was killed in a car crash that also claimed the life of his sister has been described as a "gentle giant" by the devastated parents of the two siblings.

Captain Michael Strachan, 28, from Arbroath-based 45 Commando, and his sister Dr Maia Strachan, 26, were killed on Wednesday night when the TVR Tuscan sports car in which they were travelling crashed near Stonehaven.

Captain Strachan and his girlfriend Kirsty McDonald had married at a ceremony in Glasgow on 6 November.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It also emerged yesterday that Dr Strachan had been due to marry Alex Pithie, her boyfriend of nine years, in February next year.

Their parents, Abi and Roddy Strachan, who live in the Milltimber area of Aberdeen, said yesterday: "Michael and Maia were the most amazing brother and sister: tall - in Mike's case 6ft 5in - red-headed and with spirit to match.

"Michael was a captain in the Royal Marines. He loved the life and the hard physical and mental challenges. But he was also a gentle giant who few people had seen angry. He always took the more considered approach to life.

"Maia was proud to be Dr Maia Strachan, a marine biologist, who loved, and was highly regarded in, her field."

They added: "The family are completely devastated and finding their loss dreadfully hard to endure. We would now ask that we are left to grieve in private."

Captain Strachan's widow said in a brief statement: "Mike was an irreplaceable big lump who made me feel like the most loved woman in the world."

The siblings' younger sister Kirsty also joined in the tributes. She said: "Michael and Maia were the best brother and sister anyone could ever ask for."

Lieutenant-Colonel Oliver Lee, the commanding officer of 45 Commando, yesterday described Captain Strachan as "an outstanding officer who was larger than life".

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said: "He will be remembered for his inspirational leadership and strong charismatic approach. He will be sorely missed and never forgotten."

Ms Strachan, who recently graduated with a PhD in marine biology from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, had been due to give a keynote address at a major oil and gas conference on the environment the day after the fatal collision.

Mick Borwell, the environmental issues director at trade body Oil and Gas UK, said: "We were deeply shocked when we heard the news of her and her brother's tragic deaths.

"She was a very talented young woman, with a bright future ahead of her and we send our sincere condolences to her family."

The crash in which the pair died happened on the B979 Stonehaven to Netherley road, three miles north of Stonehaven. It happened less than a fortnight after another Royal Marine from 45 Commando also died in a car crash in the North-east.

Carl Harrison, 24, from Bromsgrove in Worcestershire, was killed when his car hit a telegraph pole and rolled into a field on the A933 Arbroath to Friockheim road.

Related topics: