Scots student killed in car crash on private Stirlingshire estate was son of MI6 chief

A Scots student killed in a car crash on a private estate was the son of MI6 chief Alex Younger.

Edinburgh University student, 22, dies after crash on private estate in Stirlingshire , 22, was in a vehicle when it crashed on the estate near Stirling during a trip with pals.

Emergency services were called but medics were unable to save Sam, who was studying at Edinburgh University.

Police are now investigating the crash.

Officers said there were no suspicious circumstances, a post mortem was set to take place and they were treating the death as ‘unexplained’.

Security sources said MI6 believed Sam’s death was nothing but “a massively tragic accident”.

The source said: “This was simply an appalling accident that happened to a young man who was just starting out in life.

“It is desperately sad. The service is coming together to support Alex and his family through this dreadful experience.”

MI6 chief Alex Younger was too upset to speak about his son's death (Getty Images)

Edinburgh University student, 22, dies after crash on private estate in Stirlingshire  

Sam was said to have been with a male pal from university, who was also injured but survived the smash.

His devastated dad Alex - or ‘C’ as he is known in his role as boss of MI6 - was too upset to speak.

Kieran Oberman, a lecturer at the University of Edinburgh's School of Social and Political Science, was Sam's personal tutor.

He said: "Sam was a lovely student – always warm and friendly. He seemed confident and excited about the future.

"We are devastated by the tragic news of his death and our thoughts are with his family and friends."

A spokesman for Police Scotland said: “We can confirm that Sam Younger, a 22-year-old student from Edinburgh University, has died following an accident involving a motor vehicle on a private estate in Stirlingshire.

“The family have provided that they wish privacy and space to remember and celebrate their wonderful son.

Man, 48, arrested and charged over Kilmarnock 'attempted murder'  

“The death is being treated as unexplained, however there does not appear to be any suspicious circumstances and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal in due course, as is standard procedure.”

His father Alex, 55, is a former St Andrews University student who served with the Royal Scots and the Scots Guards before joining the British intelligence services.

Since November 2014 has served as the Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service, known as MI6.