Scottish community in shock after scientist is killed by lightening strike in Argyll

A scientist has died after apparently being struck by lightning.

The body of Dr Tim Boyd was found by a dog walker on a bridge near his home at Port Appin, Argyll, on Sunday afternoon.

A large storm in the area at the time knocked down power and phone lines and it is understood he was struck by lightning.

A Strathclyde Police spokeswoman said: "Police were called to a report of the sudden death of a 54-year-old man in Port Appin, Argyll, around 1.25pm on Sunday

"There would appear to be no suspicious circumstances; however, a post mortem will be carried out in due course to establish the exact cause of death. A full report will be sent to the procurator fiscal."

Dr Boyd worked at the Scottish Association of Marine Science (Sams) in Oban. It is the second tragedy to hit the organisation in just over a week after the death of PhD student Chris Bell in an avalanche on Glencoe last weekend.

A spokesman for Sams said: "We are grief-stricken about the tragic death of Tim Boyd, who was killed by a lightning strike on Sunday afternoon near his home in Appin.

"We suffer deep pain and confusion to lose such a lively and warm friend and colleague.

"Our hearts go out in particular to his wife and his two talented daughters he was so very, very proud of. Our thoughts are with his family."

Dr Boyd joined Sams in 2007 from Oregon State University in the US and was well-respected internationally for his expertise in Arctic oceanography.

PA