Parents pay tribute to 'free little spirit' killed in accident

The schoolboy, who was due to begin primary two today, was killed after being hit while cycling by a lorry outside his home in Gullane, East Lothian.

His grief-stricken parents Jonathan and Michaela released a statement telling how he loved his bike.

"This was the first summer where he was able to have full use of his bike and he was taken from us doing his favourite thing in the world," read the statement.

"He was meant to start primary two (today] and was really looking forward to it. He always received glowing reports and was very popular with his classmates and teachers.

"His caring nature meant that he would always try to help his classmates if they were having difficulty understanding something that he understood himself."

As well as his bike, the youngster was said to enjoy reading, playing on his computer and was also a rail enthusiast, so knowledgeable on the subject "that he could recognise trains in the same way that people recognise cars".

"One of the best days of his life was a couple of years ago when we took the steam train from Drem to Waverley station. He absolutely loved it that day," said his parents.

Archie's brother Fionnlagh and sister Skye are said to be missing him "terribly".

Neighbours have laid floral tributes and mementos at the scene of the accident. A CBeebies magazine lay next to a Marvel Heroes comic and a picture of Frank Lampard. Sweets were also left amongst emotional handwritten messages.

"Everyone who lives here knew Archie because he was the kind of person who would say hello to everybody," said Mr and Mrs Dunbar.

"We would like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has left flowers outside, we really do appreciate it, and we know that he will be missed be everyone who knew him."

Neighbour Pam Gardner, 43, said: "I just think it's really tragic. We're all gutted. You just wouldn't think something like that would happen here - it's such a quiet street. It's such a tragic waste of life."

Mrs Gardner was joined by friends Christopher Fozard, 17, Kieran Robson, 16, and Ben Longdon, 17, who had also come to pay their respects to Archie.

Kieran said: "We had just come back from Edinburgh and we saw the wreckage a few hours after it happened.

"When we found out what it was that had happened we were very sad. It's awful for the family but also for everyone who was involved."

Stephen Fulton, 21, said: "It's the family I feel sorry for. The only thing we can do is be here for them if they need us."