A man had to be airlifted to hospital in Aberdeen yesterday following a serious motorcycle crash on one of the north-east’s most problematic roads.
The A947 between Oldmeldrum and Newmachar had to be closed as emergency services worked at the scene.
Their efforts were painstaking as the motorcyclist is understood to have suffered a serious spinal injury in the accident.
John Cox, councillor for Banff and District, has been campaigning to increase safety legislation on the road for years.
He was recently elected to the chair of the A947 working group, who held their first meeting last week.
He said: “The A947 is notorious and one of the worst roads in the north-east.
“There are a number of factors such as the volume of traffic, many junctions and turnoffs to other roads.
“Motorists drive at high speeds and it can be extremely busy at times.
“The road is also quite narrow compared to others and it can be difficult to overtake.
“My thoughts are with the family of the man injured today.”
Emergency services made their way to the scene at around 11.30am on Sunday.
The road had to be closed to allow an air ambulance to land, though it was soon re-opened. The man was then flown to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for treatment.
Fire crews from Ellon were also despatched but were soon stood down.
Despite the nature of the casualty’s injuries, police on the scene said they had initially feared the worst.
A spokesman said: “We initially thought the injuries were more serious than they were and that the road would be closed for longer.”
No-one else is thought to have been injured.