Perth mum and two sons killed in car crash near Aviemore

Dec 8 2009 by Johnathon Menzies, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

EMOTIONAL tributes continued to be paid yesterday after a Scone family were tragically killed in a weekend car crash near Aviemore.

Michele Owen (36), a home carer, and her sons Callum (13) and Ethan (11), had been travelling on the A95 Aviemore-Keith road on Saturday when their car was involved in a three-vehicle collision.

Mr Dugald Campbell, head teacher at the village’s Robert Douglas Memorial School where Ethan was a pupil, said: “Ethan was very popular, the pupils and staff have many happy memories of him.

“He was a member of the RDM football team, and he often brought a smile to the class with his lively sense of humour.

“Everyone at the school has obviously been deeply shocked and upset by this awful news,” he said.

A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council said that ongoing support will be provided by RDM staff and the local authority to help classmates and friends come to terms with their loss.

Perth Academy head teacher, Andy Smith, described Callum as a “popular, likeable, boy with a great sense of humour.”

Paying tribute to his student, Mr Smith said Callum had recently undertaken a course in preparation for work with the Uniformed and Emergency Services

He continued: “All his teachers speak highly of him – he was a leading light in the class.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr Owen and the extended family.

“Educational psychologists, our chaplains and guidance staff have all been made available to staff and pupils who feel they need support following this tragic news,” he said.

Liv McIntyre, coach of the Scone Thistle U12 football team that Ethan played for, said she couldn’t put her feelings into words.

Scone U13s, managed by Mrs McIntyre’s husband, postponed their match at the weekend as a mark of respect.

She said Ethan’s club are planning their own tribute to allow friends and team-mates to say their final goodbyes.

An emotional Mrs McIntyre said: “My son was in the same class as Ethan and my older son was friends with Callum too.

“Everybody is just devastated – it really is just unbelievable.

“I just feel so sad for the family that have been left behind. Both Ethan and Callum were lovely lads and Michele – who was our child protection officer – couldn’t have been nicer.

“Both myself and Paul, who also coaches the U12s, would like to pass on our sympathies. It must be horrible for the family to have to deal with,” she said.

The boys were keen and popular members of the 1st Scone Company of the Boys’ Brigade, linked to Scone Old Church.

Their chaplain, the Rev. Bruce Thomson, said the boys had been on their way to visit their grandmother to deliver Christmas presents when tragedy struck.

Mr Thomson added: “They were a lovely family. The thoughts, prayers and church support are here for them and their father, Ian.

“I can say that all the people to whom I have spoken have been devastated by this loss,” he said.

The tragedy happened shortly before 9.30am, around a mile north of the Granish Junction, near Aviemore.

The crash involved the Owens’ Vauxhall car, a Volvo and a large Mitsubishi 4x4. Mrs Owen and her sons were pronounced dead at the scene.

The two occupants of the Volvo escaped the crash uninjured, while a fourth casualty – the male driver of the 4x4 – was taken by ambulance to Aviemore Health Centre for treatment for minor injuries.