First picture of ‘most loved’ Scots teen killed in Storm Eowyn after tree fell on car as family pay tribute
TRIBUTES are being paid to a “one in a million” teenager who tragically died after his car was struck by a falling tree during Storm Eowyn.
Calum Carmichael, 19, lost his life after the horrendous storm wreaked havoc across the country on Friday.
The teen apprentice welder and engineer, from New Cumnock, was driving to work in a blue Ford Focus along the B743 when tragedy struck.
Emergency crews raced to the scene in Mauchline, East Ayrshire, at around 7.10am.
Calum, who leaves behind a devastated partner Kela, was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow but tragically passed away on Saturday afternoon.
The crash took place before the rare red alert for wind kicked in across Scotland.
However, the Met Office had issued an amber warning for wind when tragedy struck.
Calum’s family have paid tribute to the “the most loved and happiest man alive” after the fatal incident.
His devastated brother Ally Hodge said: “Calum was the most loving boy you could ever imagine.
“In our eyes he was the most loved and happiest man alive.
He added: “Along with a lot of friends and colleagues he has left behind a loving mum and dad, brothers, sisters, in-laws, nieces, nephews, grandmother and his girlfriend.
“We would like to thank all emergency services and hospital staff who tried there best to save him, the nurses in critical care were so amazing with us all while caring for him.”
His heartbroken sister Emilie added: “Words can’t even describe how heartbroken I am. I have lost my true best friend.
“Calum you truly were one in a million couldn’t have asked for a better brother or a better best friend.
“Don’t know what I’m going to do without you ! You were just a big jokester and hope everyone remembers that. Love you forever and a day buddy”
And his sister-in-law Yasmin added: “These past two days have been the worst moments of our lives.
“We are in what can only be described as a never ending nightmare and all we want to do is to wake up and have our beautiful boy safe, well and present by our sides.
“How lucky I was to gain the best brother a sister in law could ever ask for. The most selfless, loving, kind hearted beautiful young man inside and out. Truly blessed to call you ours.
“If love could have saved you pal then you would have surely out lived us all!”
Sergeant Chris McColm of the Road Policing Unit said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who died.”
The storm caused nationwide chaos with millions of Scots urged not to travel and stay at home as it unleashed havoc.
Eowyn was dubbed the ‘worst storm since 1998’, and caused schools across the country to be shut and flights to be cancelled.
Unprecedented winds reached 100mph with the ferocious gusts causing very dangerous conditions and significant disruption.
Cops were called to around 1,900 weather-related incidents on Friday while thousands of homes were left without power.
The Scottish Southern Electricity Networks said it had received 52,000 calls — two months’ worth — in just 24 hours.