Kirk minister and wife stable after woods incident
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A MORAY minister and his wife sustained serious injuries in an alleged woodland attack which has shaken Moray.
Great-grandfather Frank Kinnis (83) tragically died following Monday morning's incident at Birkenhill Woods, to the south of Elgin.
Reverend Morris Smith, who is the locum minister for Aberlour and Craigellachie Church of Scotland, and his wife Jan were found with serious injuries.
They remain in hospital where their condition is described as stable.
Rev Smith retired in 2013 after more than 25 years at the parish churches of Cromdale & Advie, Dulnain Bridge, and Grantown-on-Spey.
The couple retired to Moray, where Rev Smith was first locum minister for Bellie & Speymouth before taking up the post at Aberlour and Craigellachie.
A Church of Scotland spokesperson said: "We can confirm that one of our Church of Scotland ministers and his wife were injured in an incident that occurred at Birkenhill Woods, south of Elgin.
"Both are now in hospital receiving medical treatment. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and also with the family of the man who very tragically died.
"This has been a very distressing event for all those involved and we would ask that the family’s privacy is respected whilst they recover."
A 35-year-old man has been charged in connection with the incident and is expected to appear at Elgin Sheriff Court today.
