Two people were killed last night in a horrific accident on the outskirts of an Aberdeenshire village.
The man and woman had been travelling on the A980 Banchory to Torphins country road near Glassel when the two-vehicle accident happened at around 7.15pm.
The pair had to be cut free from a silver Land Rover Freelander by firefighters after they collided with a silver Volkswagen Transporter van.
Last night, police confirmed that two people had died and that the van driver had sustained “non life threatening injuries”, but was taken to hospital as a precaution.
Collision investigators worked into the night to piece together what happened in the moments leading up to the accident.
Police officers blocked the road from the Raemoir House Hotel to the Camphill Filling Station for several hours, diverting motorists through Glassel.
One local councillor said he was “devastated” to hear what had happened.
Councillor Peter Argyle, who lives in the area, said he knew something bad had happened when emergency vehicles passed his house at nearby Stoneleigh, Torphins.
“I’m absolutely devastated to hear the news and my heart goes out to the family and friends of those involved,” he said.
“There are a couple of tricky bits to the road where drivers need to be careful.
“If anybody can help police with their inquiries, I would urge them to come forward so we can establish exactly what happened.”
In May 2010, Mark Scott – who was only 19 – died on the same road after his friend lost control while he sped along at more than 80mph.
The car they were travelling in failed to take a bend and crashed into a wall before overturning and landing in a field.
Mr Scott, 19, died instantly in the accident on the A980, about a mile west of the Raemoir House Hotel.
Jack Parkes later admitted causing death by dangerous driving, and was jailed for 32 months.
Last July, a young father was killed when his silver Honda Jazz collided with a blue Peugeot 407 on the A980 near Muir of Fowlis.
Darren Lindsay had been due to become a father when the tragic accident happened.
Meanwhile, emergency services also attended another two-vehicle accident in Fraserburgh’s Watermill Road last night.
The accident happened just after 10pm.
One casualty was treated at the scene, however their injuries are not believed to be serious.
A spokeswoman for the fire and rescue service confirmed that a crew attended to make the vehicles safe.