A 78-year-old has died after a serious crash on a busy dual carriageway.
Police were called to the scene of the two-vehicle collision close to a junction on the A90 Aberdeen to Dundee road soon after 9.25pm on Tuesday.
John Stewart, who had been driving a brown Dacia Duster, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident which happened near the unclassified route leading to Marykirk.
A 19-year-old man who had been behind the wheel of a white Ford Transit Connect van, was left uninjured following the incident.
Yesterday, motorists were diverted away from the scene of the crash as police carried out investigations.
The southbound lane of the A90 remained closed for several hours while officers examined the stretch of road.
Lorries were diverted to the A92 Stonehaven to Montrose road, and cars were required to travel on the A937 Laurencekirk to Marykirk road.
Last night, police appealed for anyone who witnessed the crash to get in touch.
Road policing sergeant Colin Matheson said: “Our thoughts at this sad time are with the family and friends of the man who died.
“In order to help piece together what happened, I would urge anyone who may seen either vehicle prior to the collision, or who saw the incident itself and who hasn’t yet come forward, to contact us by calling 101 as soon as possible.”
Mearns councillor Leigh Wilson said the accident further highlighted the need to improve safety at the junction.
He said: “It seems I have said this too often recently, but my thoughts go out to all those involved – it has been a fraught period for the Mearns with two other tragedies recently and now this one.
“If anyone who witnessed the incident has any information they should relay that to the police, but the details of how the crash happened are secondary at this point because someone has passed away and our thoughts are purely focused on that.
“It does, however, highlight the absolute necessity of improving the Marykirk junction and I sincerely hope that the upgrade is completed before another tragedy occurs here.
“Too many lives have been lost along this stretch of road and the sooner the work starts, the sooner we can try and save lives.”