North East council chief dies after tractor crash

A North East council chief has died after a his car collided with a tractor on a country road almost two weeks ago.
Douglas Edwardson. Picture: ContributedDouglas Edwardson. Picture: Contributed
Douglas Edwardson. Picture: Contributed

Douglas Edwardson, 58, head of housing at Aberdeenshire Council, was in an induced coma since the accident on 5 December, which his wife survived.

Mr Edwardson, a father of four, was the head of housing at Aberdeenshire Council since 2009. Council chief executive Jim Savege paid tribute to his “incredibly warm, loyal and supportive colleague.”

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He said: “It is with great ­sadness that we have learned today of the death of one of our colleagues, Douglas Edwardson.

Picture: John DevlinPicture: John Devlin
Picture: John Devlin

“Douglas was an incredibly warm, loyal and supportive colleague who will be greatly missed by many people right across this council.

“He had worked in the north-east for more than 22 years, initially as director of housing and technical services with the former Banff and Buchan District Council, and was a well-known and respected figure in his role as head of service for housing with Aberdeenshire Council.

“Our thoughts are with his family, and for our colleagues who worked closely with Douglas over the years. We will be doing everything we can to ensure we provide them with the support they need.”

Mr Edwardson was travelling in his grey Seat Leon with his wife when they collided with a tractor towing another tractor on the A944 Dunecht to Alford road.

The couple lived in the area.

In a statement yesterday his family said: “Douglas’s family are devastated to confirm that Douglas has died. They are very grateful for all the support they have received, in particular from all the staff at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.”

Road police sergeant Steve Milne appealed for potential witnesses to come forward.

He said: “It is understood a small 4×4 may have stopped directly after the accident in the eastbound carriageway and the sole occupant may have seen the collision.

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“We would appeal for that driver or anyone else with information to call 101.”

In November 2013, the wife of a senior member of Aberdeenshire Council suffered serious brain injuries after her car­ hit a lorry near Westhil on the outskirts of Aberdeen.