Tragic car crash rocker falls 100ft to death

Apr 27 2008 By Jim Lawson

Darren Drives Car Off Cliff

BUDDING rock star Darren Kirkness has died after hurtling over a cliff and plunging 100ft into the sea.

The 20-year-old lead guitarist with the Whistling Gypsies was killed after driving his car into the Atlantic at Yesnaby, Orkney.

In an interview shortly before his death, Darren was asked what was "one thing to do before you die".

He said: "Live my life because we are here for a good time, not a long time."

Darren, of Dounby, was a member of the aspiring Orkney band whose members include lead singer Malcolm Leask, bassist Rory Pearson, drummer Raymond Ward and fellow guitarist Sam Harris.

Last night tributes flooded in for the apprentice mechanic and part-time barman on his bebo social networking site.

One said: "One of the west's best...RIP." Another wrote: "Work will never be the same. You will be missed badly."

Two Spanish tourists saw his car leaving the road and going over the cliff edge at around 1pm on Wednesday.

Darren is survived by his dad Stuart, mum Debra, brother Wayne and granny Rita.

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