MANY tributes have been paid to a Ballingry man who died in a road accident on the A92 on Saturday night.

John King, 63, was the driver of a red Vauxhall Meriva involved in an accident at around 9.55pm on Saturday, about half a mile east of the junction for Cowdenbeath.

It was believed that Mr King fell ill shortly before the accident which saw the car leave the road. Emergency services attended but sadly he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr King was accompanied by grandchildren, two boys, aged 12 and a one-year-old, who were taken to the Victoria Hospital, in Kirkcaldy, for treatment to minor injuries.

The road was closed until around 1pm on Sunday, to allow for an investigation at the scene.

Inspector Andy Mather of Fife Road Policing said: "Our thoughts are with Mr King's family and friends at this difficult time. We are carrying out enquiries to establish the full circumstances which led to this collision and would ask anyone who may have information and has not yet spoken to police to come forward as soon as possible.

"Any information can be passed to police by calling 101, quoting incident 3941 of 12 September."

In a statement, Mr King's family said on Monday: "The family are devastated by the sudden death of John.

"We would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and condolences. We would ask for privacy at this sad time."

There have been many tributes via social media to Mr King, who was a very popular man in the Ballingry area.

Eddie Easson, the chair of Benarty Events Group, said on his Facebook page: "Words cannot describe our feelings last night when we were told of one my best friends, John King's passing. Our thoughts are with Ann and her family and John's family. We shared some great times together and I will cherish these memories forever."

Other tributes included: "Such a tragic loss, had such a positive outlook on life, will always remember his karaoke belter down at the Shank."

"So sorry for your loss thoughts are with Ann and family, he was a lovely GENTLEMAN." And: "I knew John from work, a lovely man."