TRIBUTES have been paid to a tragic Kilwinning man who lost his life in a horror car crash last week.

Douglas Archer was killed when his Volkswagen Golf collided with another car on the A737 in Beith on Thursday, January 8.

The 30-year-old, from Whitehirst Park, died at the scene, despite efforts to save him.

Douglas was well known and well loved throughout the Ayrshire community, and was a member of Cruise Ayrshire – a group for car enthusiasts.

The Herald understands he was also a keen footballer, playing for Dirrans Athletic last season, and the team held a minute’s silence for him at Saturday’s game against St Joseph’s in the Scottish Cup’s fifth round tie.

Since his death tributes have been pouring in for the fun-loving car enthusiast with hundreds of posts on his Facebook page.

Close friend Alex Watt said: “Genuinely nothing harder than hearing about losing one of your best friends. Can’t even think of words good enough to say for you mate. Absolutely devastated to hear the news. You’ll be missed mate. Thoughts with all your family.” Sabrina Louise Wharton said: “RIP the world can be such a cruel place thinking of all your friends and family.” Andrew Stirton said: “Still struggling so bad to take on board what’s actually happened Dougie. Still keep checking my texts waiting for your next text from you winding me up or cracking a joke. Going to miss our Friday night fajitas Dougie and the runs to Largs for some extremely overpriced ice cream.

“Hope your keeping the party going up there. You can see by the comments the amount of lives you have touched and were such a big part of.

“You will be dearly missed big man. It’s all happened to quick and you were young. Sleep tight matie.” Stephen Burt said: “Struggled to get my head round it today. RIP Douglas Archer, as car guys we shared the same passion and you`ve had 11 cars since you tried to buy my Vento.

“It was a pleasure to have known you. My thoughts are with you and your family.” A spokesman for Ayrshire Police Division said: “A 30-year-old man has died following a road crash involving two cars on the A737 at Beith on Thursday, January 8, 2015.

“Around 4.35pm on Thursday afternoon, the 30-year-old man was driving a Volkswagen Golf southbound on the A737, near to Manrahead roundabout in Beith, when it was involved in a collision with a Volkswagen Polo which was being driven northbound by a 25-year-old man.

Emergency services attended but the 30-year-old man died at the scene.

“A 48 year-old woman, who was a passenger in the Volkswagen Polo was taken by ambulance to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley where she is being treated for her injuries.

“Hospital staff describe her condition as serious but stable.

“The 25-year-old driver of the Volkswagen Polo was taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley where he was treated for minor injuries then later released.” Sergeant Kevin Blackley of the Road Policing Department is appealing for any information.

He said: “The A737 where the crash happened was extremely busy at the time of the incident.

“I would urge any witnesses to the crash who have not yet spoken to officers to come forward as a matter of urgency as they may have information that is vital to our investigation.” Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101.

TRIBUTES have been paid to a tragic Kilwinning man who lost his life in a horror car crash last week.

Douglas Archer was killed when his Volkswagen Golf collided with another car on the A737 in Beith on Thursday, January 8.

The 30-year-old, from Whitehirst Park, died at the scene, despite efforts to save him.

Douglas was well known and well loved throughout the Ayrshire community, and was a member of Cruise Ayrshire – a group for car enthusiasts.

The Herald understands he was also a keen footballer, playing for Dirrans Athletic last season, and the team held a minute’s silence for him at Saturday’s game against St Joseph’s in the Scottish Cup’s fifth round tie.

Since his death tributes have been pouring in for the fun-loving car enthusiast with hundreds of posts on his Facebook page.

Close friend Alex Watt said: “Genuinely nothing harder than hearing about losing one of your best friends. Can’t even think of words good enough to say for you mate. Absolutely devastated to hear the news. You’ll be missed mate. Thoughts with all your family.” Sabrina Louise Wharton said: “RIP the world can be such a cruel place thinking of all your friends and family.” Andrew Stirton said: “Still struggling so bad to take on board what’s actually happened Dougie. Still keep checking my texts waiting for your next text from you winding me up or cracking a joke. Going to miss our Friday night fajitas Dougie and the runs to Largs for some extremely overpriced ice cream.

“Hope your keeping the party going up there. You can see by the comments the amount of lives you have touched and were such a big part of.

“You will be dearly missed big man. It’s all happened to quick and you were young. Sleep tight matie.” Stephen Burt said: “Struggled to get my head round it today. RIP Douglas Archer, as car guys we shared the same passion and you`ve had 11 cars since you tried to buy my Vento.

“It was a pleasure to have known you. My thoughts are with you and your family.” A spokesman for Ayrshire Police Division said: “A 30-year-old man has died following a road crash involving two cars on the A737 at Beith on Thursday, January 8, 2015.

“Around 4.35pm on Thursday afternoon, the 30-year-old man was driving a Volkswagen Golf southbound on the A737, near to Manrahead roundabout in Beith, when it was involved in a collision with a Volkswagen Polo which was being driven northbound by a 25-year-old man.

Emergency services attended but the 30-year-old man died at the scene.

“A 48 year-old woman, who was a passenger in the Volkswagen Polo was taken by ambulance to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley where she is being treated for her injuries.

“Hospital staff describe her condition as serious but stable.

“The 25-year-old driver of the Volkswagen Polo was taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley where he was treated for minor injuries then later released.” Sergeant Kevin Blackley of the Road Policing Department is appealing for any information.

He said: “The A737 where the crash happened was extremely busy at the time of the incident.

“I would urge any witnesses to the crash who have not yet spoken to officers to come forward as a matter of urgency as they may have information that is vital to our investigation.” Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101.