TRIBUTES are being paid following the death of a three-year-old boy in an accident at Cuttlehill Farm in Crossgates.

Messages flooded in on the Press' Facebook page after the toddler, who has not been officially named, was killed after being struck by a farm vehicle on Tuesday evening. 

Police and an ambulance rushed to the scene around 5.10pm but the little boy could not be saved. 

A member of the Nelson family, who run the beef farm on the outskirts of the village, said the circumstances were still “very raw” . 

They declined to comment further and Police Scotland said they were still investigating what happened.

Local councillor Peter Lockhart said: “It really is tragic that this could have happened.

“People can think that the countryside is a beautiful place but we have to remember it’s also an industrious area.”

He continued: “It’s absolutely horrific. I really feel for whoever the driver was because I know how difficult it is to see when you’re manoeuvering a tractor.
 
“I used to work with tractors and it’s very hard to see when you’re reversing. At the end of the day they’re massive pieces of machinery and they may not be fast but they are phenomenally powerful.”

Relatives of the boy took to social media to express their shock, with one saying they were “absolutely numb”.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Police in Fife are investigating after a child was killed during a collision on a farm in Fife. 

“The incident happened around 5.10 p.m. on Tuesday at a property in Crossgates. 

“A three-year-old boy sustained fatal injuries after he was involved in a collision with a farm vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Inquiries into the full circumstances surrounding this matter are continuing.”

The Scottish Ambulance Service said they received a call at 5.17pm and were at the scene at 5.21pm, but the toddler could not be saved.