2013-07-18 - Rider Down/Fatality, A975 (Aberdeenshire, Scotland)

Dead cyclist, 14, named after collision with car in Aberdeenshire

A teenage boy who died after he was knocked off his bike by a car in Aberdeenshire has been named.

Connor Shields, 14, from the Ellon area, died following the collision at about 18:00 on Wednesday.

The teenager was taken by air ambulance to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary but died as a result of multiple injuries.

Police have appealed for witnesses to the accident which happened on the A975 Newburgh to Cruden Bay road.

It involved a Volvo XC90 car, which was being driven north by a 59-year-old man at the junction with the B9003 to Collieston.

The incident was the third fatal road accident in the north east in three days.

Inspector Ewan Innes from Police Scotland said: "Our thoughts and condolences go out to the boy's family and friends at this very distressing time.

"Our inquiries are at an early stage and at this time it is too early to speculate as to the cause of the collision.

"The boy was in a group of five or six pedal cyclists who were travelling from Collieston to the Ellon area, and I would ask that anyone who may have witnessed the collision, or who has any information relating to this collision to get in touch with us."

The road was closed for about six hours while investigators examined the scene.

Connor was 14 years old.
It breaks my heart.