A Skye woman has been woken from an induced coma after a crash which left her trapped in a car overnight at the bottom of a steep slope.
Angela Calpin, of Portnalong, was airlifted to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness at about 10.30am on Sunday following the accident on the A87 Portree to Broadford road, which is thought to have happened around 7pm the day before.
Her one-year-old collie dog, Duggie, was also in the car but escaped, leading to a search. Happily, he was soon found by local crofters with only a scratch on his paw.
It is understood that Ms Calpin was driving down to Edinburgh to visit friends at the time of the accident.
A close friend of Ms Calpin’s said: “I am so relieved she has woken up.
“She cannot talk just now, but she can understand everything people are saying to her.
“She is on breathing equipment for the moment which will last a few days.
“She’ll be in for a while but the hope is she will be out by Christmas.
“Her eyes widened within when her family told her about her dog being found, and they could see a tear rolling down her cheek.”
The friend, who has been in regular touch with Ms Calpin’s stepson at the hospital, said Ms Calpin underwent surgery on a collapsed lung and a broken arm, and has eight broken ribs.
Chief Inspector Brian Mackay, the Police Scotland South Highland area commander, said the accident is believed to have happened at about 7pm on Saturday.
It was reported to police at 10.20am on Sunday after the car was noticed by a member of the public. Officers attended within 25 minutes.
Mr Mackay said: “Her injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
“Her dog was also located safely in the area.
“We are grateful for the support of various partners who assisted at the scene, including the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Scottish Ambulance Service, Skye Mountain Rescue Team and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.”
Skye councillor John Finlayson was driving past on Sunday and saw the emergency services and rescue teams at the scene.
He said: “It’s quite concerning but also understandable that nobody noticed the car for that long.
“I wish her all the best with her recovery.”