'Shock and disbelief' after death of cyclist

Greek-born Dr Kostas Tourlas died in the collision with a Fiat Ulysse car near the Kirkliston Sports Centre at the weekend. The 37-year-old is thought to have been cycling with his girlfriend on Stirling Road at the time.

Today, she was being comforted by friends and family, as colleagues spoke of their "shock and disbelief" at the death of Edinburgh University graduate Dr Tourlas.

Co-workers at his London-based software consultancy firm Adelard paid tribute to their "charismatic" and "popular" colleague whose love of Scotland led him to commute from Edinburgh to London once a fortnight.

"I think we are all in shock," said Robin Bloomfield, who co-founded the business where Dr Tourlas had worked since 2003. "We are a small company of 14 staff and the news has reached everyone in the firm. Total disbelief is how I would describe it."

Dr Tourlas was a senior consultant with the specialist software analysts Adelard and involved with highly-skilled and sensitive safety work in the defence and nuclear sectors.

Colleagues said he was a keen cyclist, walker and amateur chef with a passion for Japanese food.

Adelard consultant Daniel Sheridan said his friend was "much missed" when he returned to live in Edinburgh, adding the "atmosphere in the office changed completely" in his absence.

"He was a lively, energetic person and always had a story to tell or a joke to make and his enthusiasm for life was infectious," said Mr Sheridan. "Only Kostas could persuade us all to leave work on time and accompany him to the pub. He will be missed by all of us."

Plans are already in the offing to create a scholarship fund in honour of Dr Tourlas, which may see collaboration with Edinburgh University where the software analyst studied – and later worked – for nine years.

His mentor at university was senior lecturer Stuart Anderson, who praised the "fun-loving" but "serious" student with whom he had worked closely.

"Kostas was pretty academic but always fun-loving," said Mr Anderson. "I met him in 1996 when he came to do his Masters programme. He stayed on and did his PhD with me in 2001 and after graduating we worked on a research project together.

"He was a very talented guy and (his death] is a real waste."

Mr Anderson said Dr Tourlas had lived in London for a year while working with Adelard but yearned to return to Edinburgh.

"When he went to London he really missed Scotland and used to listen to Radio Scotland on the internet," he said. "As a consequence when he came back he had acquired the most phenomenal West of Scotland accent. It was a (blend of] Greek and west of Scotland. The first time I heard it you could have knocked me down with a feather."

Mr Anderson said that many of the university fraternity who knew him were "absolutely devastated" to learn of his death in the crash, which happened at around 2:10pm on Saturday.

"It's unbelievable," said Mr Anderson, depute head of the School of Informatics. "I got an e-mail from him last Thursday and we were going to meet yesterday so I was expecting to see him.

"It was a complete shock when heard that he had died. There's quite a lot of people around here that knew him and everyone is absolutely devastated that he is gone just like that. He was a really lively colleague."

It is understood that his parents have now flown from their home in Greece to Edinburgh. Friends say they may hold their own memorial service in Scotland.

A 42-year old man appeared on petition at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday charged with causing the death of Dr Tourlas by dangerous driving and drink driving. No plea or declaration was made on behalf of Andrzej Stankiewicz and the case was continued for further inquiry. Sheriff Elizabeth Jarvie QC remanded the accused in custody.