Published: Thursday, 11th March, 2010 8:10am

Fight for life lost

by Alex Lawrie

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Son in coma loses fight for life just weeks after death of his mother

Brian Lawrie was an attendant at Musselburgh's 2008 Honest Lad and Lass celebrations

TRIBUTES have been paid to a young Musselburgh man who died on Tuesday - just 11 weeks after losing his mother to cancer.

Brian Lawrie, 23, had spent the past fortnight in a coma after suffering a serious head wound outside the town's Wiremill Social Club last month.

He succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday morning at Edinburgh's Western General Hospital.

In a double blow to the family, Brian, who was an attendant at the Musselburgh's 2008 Honest Lad and Lass celebrations, lost his mother, Karen Nisbet, to cancer in December.

His father, also Brian, is a well-known builder and tradesman in the East Lothian area.

A former Musselburgh Grammar School pupil, Mr Lawrie was a keen fisherman and a member of the Scottish fishing team, and has been described as a "popular, big smiling laddie".

Shocked neighbours of his father, who declined to be named, spoke of a "kind and generous boy who wouldn't harm a fly".

Alan Hay, vice-chair of Musselburgh and Inveresk Community Council paid tribute to Mr Lawrie and offered his sympathies to his family.

He said: "I heard yesterday that young Brian had tragically passed away. It's a terrible tragedy for the family and my heart and my condolences to go out to his father and the remaining family. It's a double tragedy for everyone because he just lost his mother in December.

"I remember him as a popular big, smiling laddie who didn't deserve this kind of end."

Brian and his mother Karen were longtime supporters and members of the Honest Toun Association (HTA), and Brian took part in the annual event as as an attendant in the 2008 celebrations.

A spokesperson for the HTA also paid tribute to Mr Lawrie describing him as a "friendly guy who always got on with everybody".

She said: "I had known Brian for quite a good few years because him and his mum were both valued and committed members of the Honest Toun Association. It's a real tragedy what has happened and my own and the association's thoughts go out to his family.

"He was a really nice, bubbly character who always had time for you, and nothing was too much trouble. He, and his mum, did a lot of good work for the HTA and both had been involved for many years.

"He played a pivotal role during the 2008 celebrations, and I know he was really proud to have taken part.

"Basically, he was a big, friendly guy who got on with everybody. Nobody I know had a bad word to say against him."

The Courier understands that Brian worked as a bank teller at the Jock's Lodge Edinburgh branch of the Bank of Scotland, and was highly-regarded within the Scottish fishing community after winning many top tournaments in Britain and in Ireland.

Among his many pastimes, Brian was an enthusiastic Glasgow Rangers supporter and regularly travelled through to Ibrox to watch his team, and was also a keen horse-rider after taking up the sport at a young age.

Mr Lawrie's father Brian could not be contacted and is thought to be staying with friends as he comes to terms with the tragedy.

A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police said: "Lothian and Borders Police can confirm the death of a 23-year-old man who passed away at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh on Tuesday, March 9.

"The man had been receiving treatment as a result of injuries sustained during an alleged assault that happened outside the Wiremill Social Club in Musselburgh on February 21.

"A 28-year-old man appeared at Haddington Sheriff Court on February 23 in connection with this incident, and was bailed to appear at a later date.

"A post-mortem will be held in respect of the deceased, and inquiries are continuing into the circumstances surrounding his death."