Body found after car plunge in Methil dock is named

STV

Investigations are continuing into the death of a 44-year-old Fife man who plunged into Methil docks in a stolen pick-up truck.

Police have identified the man as Kevin Purves, a local man who became known to police following a brush with the law more than two decades ago.

Mr Purves died after the stolen vehicle he was driving went into Dock three at Methil at around 4.20pm on Wednesday afternoon. He was being followed by police at the time but is not believed to have been driving at speed. STV News understands that he had driven around 20 miles in a yellow pick up truck belonging to the Forth Estuary Transport Authority (FETA) and stolen from the bridge a short time earlier.

The truck was pulled from the water at 1.30am and Mr Purves's body was recovered from the vehicle later on Thursday morning. His next-of-kin have been informed. A post mortem examination will now be carried out and the procurator fiscal has been notified.

Mr Purves was raised in the Methil area and became known by Fife Police in 1987, when he made off from Pittenweem Harbour in his father's fishing boat after a night out drinking.

Mr Purves appeared in court in 1989, aged 23, and admitted removing the trawler and damaging another vessel in the harbour. The court heard he had sobered up and called the coastguard, resulting in a costly helicopter rescue. He escaped with an admonishment and a compensation order.

The cause of yesterday's incident remains unclear and an investigation is underway.

Fife Police have now called in officers from another Scots force to assess police involvement prior to the incident.

Superintendent John Pow said: "Central Scotland Police, who have assisted in the recovery of the man's body and the vehicle have also been invited to review the circumstances of police involvement prior to the vehicle entering the water at Dock 3.  

"Witnesses have identified themselves to the police in relation to this enquiry and I would issue a further appeal for people to come forward that may assist us."