A fundraiser for a Fife teenager who died in a horror crash has raised more than £23,000 in just one day, as tributes poured in from the stock car racing community. Kerr Paterson, 17, was killed in a collision on the B914 near its junction with the A823, close to Kelty, at around 2.25am on Sunday. He was driving a blue Toyota Aygo when it collided with a yellow Volkswagen Golf. Emergency crews attended but Kerr could not be saved and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Arrest made after driver fled
The occupants of the Volkswagen had left the area by the time police arrived. Enquiries were launched to trace them, and a 20-year-old man has since been arrested in connection with the incident. Police Scotland’s investigation is ongoing. Sergeant Lee Walkingshaw said: “Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Kerr and they have asked for time to come to terms with what has happened. We are continuing to appeal for information and asking anyone who can assist and who has not yet spoken to officers to get in touch.”
Fundraiser created by fellow racer
Fellow stock car racer Jordyn Borthwick created a fundraising page on Monday to help Kerr’s family with funeral costs. The initial target was set at £2,629, a nod to Kerr's racing number 629. Kind-hearted donors quickly surpassed that target, and the page passed £23,000 in under 24 hours. Jordyn said: “Kerr Paterson was a much loved member of the stock car racing community and someone who touched the lives of so many friends and fans over the years. We are raising funds to help give Kerr the farewell he truly deserves.”
Racing community in mourning
Kerr raced out of Cowdenbeath Racewall alongside his brother Gary and sister Zola as part of Team Paterson. The team released a statement announcing they would race this weekend in his honour at Skegness Raceway for the Saloon UK Championship. It said: “As a team, we have made the incredibly difficult decision to race this weekend at Skegness Raceway for the Saloon UK Championship. It hasn’t been an easy decision, but we know that Kerr would have wanted Gary to race and for us all to be with the people that mean so much to us as a team. This weekend is for him.”
A Cowdenbeath Racewall spokesperson said: “All at the Racewall are heartbroken on the news of the untimely passing of former ORCi Ministox Champion 629 Kerr Paterson. Kerr was a superb young man both on the track and off it, and it was with great pleasure that we watched him develop into such a talented racer in his time in the Ministox. Since then he enjoyed frequent banger outings and of course was around the tracks to help brother Gary in the Saloon Stock Cars and sister Zola in the Ministox. At this desperately sad time words will be of little comfort to Kerr’s family but hope they all know that the racing community have them in their hearts and thoughts at this time.”
A Spedeworth Motorsports spokesperson added: “We are saddened to hear the heartbreaking news of the untimely passing of former ORCi Ministox champ #629 Kerr Paterson. The Paterson name is well known in our sport with various members taking to the track, and we join the Oval racing community in passing our condolences on to Kerr’s family and friends at this extremely difficult time.”
Apprentice remembered by employer
Kerr was a motor engineering apprentice for T Page Motor Engineering. A spokesperson said: “As most people will have now heard the tragic passing of our young apprentice Kerr, it has left a massive hole in the workshop and our lives. He was a fantastic young man and very passionate about his occupation. To say he will be greatly missed is an understatement. We are all proud of what this young man has achieved and become. We would like to thank everyone for expressing their condolences at this hard time. We are thinking of his family and here to support them through this awful time.”
Police appeal for information
Police Scotland are appealing for anyone with information or dash-cam footage to come forward. Sergeant Lee Walkingshaw said: “If you were driving in the area at the time please check any dash-cam footage you might have to see if something has been captured that could help with our investigation. Anyone who can help is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0511 of Sunday, July 5.”
