Tributes to firefighter who died as he ended night shift

TRIBUTES have been paid to a firefighter who died suddenly as he finished his night shift yesterday morning.

Alan Kynoch, 53, fell ill as he came off duty at Elgin fire station in Moray and was taken to the town's Dr Gray's Hospital.

Mr Kynoch, who leaves behind his wife Anne, had 27 years' service.

He had previously worked in the Strathclyde area and joined Grampian Fire and Rescue Service in 1993.

Chief fire officer David Dalziel paid tribute, saying: "It was with the deepest sorrow that we learned of the tragic loss of firefighter Alan Kynoch, who suddenly passed away this morning having just come off nightshift duty at Elgin fire station.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Anne and his family at this very sad time.

"The service is the poorer for his passing."

Mr Kynoch began his 14-hour shift at 6pm on Thursday and finished at 8am.

The unit had just one call-out through the night: a false alarm at a local hotel.

Police said there did not appear to be any suspicious circumstances.