Australian hotel worker, 21, killed when she was hit by a car while trying to catch a lift on Scottish island
Loved-up couple were on way home from romantic getaway when tragedy struck
AN AUSTRALIAN hotel worker was struck and killed by a car while hitchhiking home from a romantic Scottish island getaway with her boyfriend.
Maddy Rice, 21, had been living and working in Scotland with partner Joe Perry at the time of the accident.
The couple were on their way home from a break near the Sligachan Hotel in Skye on Monday.
They were heading back to the luxury hotel Kinloch Lodge in , where Maddy worked front-of-house.
Her hotel colleagues said they are "utterly devastated" by the young woman's death.
Director Isabella Macdonald said: "It is absolutely heartbreaking.
"We are all utterly devastated at the tragic and sudden loss of Maddy.
"She was devoted to her wonderful partner, Joe, and our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to him and her family.
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"She was a wonderful and beautiful person as well as being an incredibly hard-working member of our team and we will miss her greatly."
Maddy hails from Noosa in Queensland, Australia, while Joe is originally from Auckland, New Zealand.
She worked as a beauty therapist in London, before moving to Skye to work at the hotel.
Maddy was hit by a Vauxhall car on the A87, the main road cutting across the island at 1.15am.
The man driving was uninjured.
Joe updated his Facebook cover photo on Monday with a picture of himself and Maddy.
Several people have left messages of sympathy on the post.
Dan Hannay said: "Joe mate I'm so sorry brother."
And CJ Findlay wrote: "Chin up brother.
“We all love ya dude, and everyone's thinking about you."
A police spokesman said: "A 21-year-old woman pedestrian sustained fatal injuries following a collision with a Vauxhall car.
“The male driver of the car was uninjured.
"The road was closed whilst inquiries into the incident continued.
"Anyone who has information that could assist officers with their inquiries into the collision should contact Police Scotland on 101."
Skye councillor John Gordon said: "It's sad that a young couple on a day off from work would end in such tragedy and it's hard to comprehend what her family are going through so far from here in Australia, but our thoughts and prayers are with them."
Fellow councillor Drew Millar said: "It is another tragedy on Skye.
“In the last three weeks now two young people have been killed on the roads, in different circumstances, but with the same tragic end.”
He said the stretch of road where Maddy was killed has recently been resurfaced.
Three weeks ago 24-year-old Kirsty Johnston, from Portree, was killed on the A87.
Firefighters cut her from the wreckage but she died from her injuries shortly after in hospital.
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