A toppled tractor and trailer stopped the traffic in a small Moray village yesterday.
Bundles of straw were left scattered across Tomintoul’s Main Street and the trailer smashed several house windows in the accident involving a red Case machine.
Drivers had to navigate their way round the obstruction as police and recovery experts worked to move the vehicle.
A stretch of the A939 Lecht Road was closed from around 3.40pm until after 7pm.
Willie Fraser, 53, was at the wheel of the tractor and was taken to Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin after the crash, although his injuries are not believed to be serious.
Local farmer Davie Nicholson owns the vehicle and was at the scene last night to survey the damage.
Mr Nicholson said: “There is a nasty corner at the bottom of the village, and seemingly when the tractor was coming around there the bales moved a wee bit, causing it to wobble over.
“The driver said everything looked fine coming up the street, but the next thing he knew he was getting thrown across the road.
“He needed a couple of stitches in his head, but he’s fine.”
As the northward-bound tractor toppled, the trailer sent its load careering into a Main Street house, smashing several windows.
The 82-year old resident who owns the property was not at home at the time, and last night was too shaken to comment on the incident.
The tractor came to rest against the wall of the former Tomintoul secondary school, causing the structure some damage.
A local restaurateur who witnessed the drama said: “The tractor was lying on its side, and at around 5.30pm there were three other tractors there taking the bales off the road.”
A police spokeswoman said: “Main Street in Tomintoul was closed shortly after the incident, with vehicles finding alternative routes.
“As it tipped over the trailer clipped the side of a house, causing damage to some windows.”