Heartbroken family pay tribute to 'much loved, caring' teenager killed in paddleboard tragedy

Daily Mail​

11 hours ago

Tributes have been paid to an 'adventurous' and 'caring' teenage boy who died following a paddleboarding tragedy at a Scots beauty spot.
Alexander McNab was reported missing after falling in the water at Loch Ore, Fife on Saturday, sparking a major search operation.
The 15-year-old's body was recovered from the water the following afternoon.
He had been paddleboarding on the loch just moments before the tragedy happened.
In an emotional tribute released through Police Scotland yesterday, his family said the 'teenager would be 'forever missed' by everyone who knew him.
They said: 'Alexander was much loved, caring, adventurous, bold, hard-working, ambitious and always looking out and caring for others.
'He is a much-loved son, brother, grandson, cousin, friend and boyfriend and a big part of his local community.
'Alexander will be forever missed by those that knew him and loved him.'
The teenager, who is understood to have lived in the nearby village of Thornton, was reported missing after he was seen falling in the water at Lochore Meadows Country Park, near Lochgelly, on Saturday.
A major search involving police, fire and coastguard teams was launched just before 5.30pm. A helicopter and divers were also deployed in the operation and police banned the use of aircraft and drones above the area.
But Police Scotland confirmed the body of a male youth was recovered from the loch around 1.20pm on Sunday and that the boy's family, who had remained at the loch on Saturday night in the hope of being reunited with their child, had been informed.
Officers said yesterday there were no 'suspicious circumstances' and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
Detective Sergeant Duncan Thompson said: 'Our thoughts are very much with Alexander's family at this very distressing time and we have specialist officers supporting them.'
Tributes also poured in online for the youngster, with one person writing: 'Fly high Alex, such a good soul and will always be remembered as the funny, amazing guy that he was. Forever 15.'
Another said: 'Such a cheeky chappy growing up, you grew into such a lovely hard working, thoughtful young man. Sleep tight. Taken far too soon.'
One mourner described him as a 'lovely young man' who they remembered from his days at Thornton Primary School, while another said: 'We will all miss you and that gorgeous cheeky smile.'
Others said Alexander was 'such a kind, funny boy who always spoke' and had a 'heart of gold' and the 'best cheeky smile'.
Loch Ore is a popular beauty spot that hosts the annual Scottish Open Water Championships for swimmers.
It is also used as a training facility for the University of St Andrews Boat Club, with the surrounding 1,200-acre country park attracting more than a million visitors every year.
Alexander's death comes five years after 20-year-old Keivan Ulhaq lost his life after suffering cold-water shock at the same spot five years ago. He was rescued from the loch but went into sudden cardiac arrest and later died in hospital.
Following the 2020 tragedy, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service installed life-saving throw-line equipment and water safety signs at the loch.