Relatives said Mr Stewart's death had left them distraught

William Stewart, 38, from Lossiemouth, was named as the victim of the accident on the A96 Aberdeen to Huntly road.

The married father-of-one's BMW crashed on Wednesday morning.

Relatives said: "Our family are devastated by the death of William in the unexpected and tragic circumstance in which he has been taken from us."

The accident happened after a light snowfall had turned to slush.

Mr Stewart was the 46th person to die on Grampian's roads this year.

His passing will leave a void in the family which can never be filled Family statement

His family said in a statement through Grampian Police: "William was a wonderful husband and father and his wife Kim and son Gordon, 16, are shattered by what has happened. They are finding it very hard to take it in.

"Out with his work in the oil industry, William's family was his whole life.

"Gordon had just celebrated his 16th birthday last month and William would have been 39 next month, and with Christmas approaching this should have been a very happy time for the whole family."

Offshore worker Mr Stewart had just come off rig work on Tuesday and had been on his way to Aberdeen for a course connected with his work when the collision happened.

He had been in the oil industry for 16 years, having previously been a fisherman.

Police closed the road for several hours for the investigation

The familiy statement concluded: "Our family now wish to be left to grieve in peace and remember William for the great husband, son and dad that he was.

"His passing will leave a void in the family which can never be filled. He may be gone, but William will be forever in our hearts."

The northbound articulated lorry was in collision with the southbound BMW car on the approach to the road's crawler lane. The lorry driver was left shocked.

The road was closed for several hours to allow an accident investigation.