Five people were taken to hospital yesterday following a road accident in Aberdeenshire.
Three of the injured were children and at least one person is understood to have sustained serious injuries.
They were hurt as a black Honda Accord and white Honda CRV collided on the A92 Stonehaven to Inverbervie road, at Mill of Uras, shortly before 1pm.
An air ambulance was part of an extensive emergency service team dispatched to the scene, with the tean joined by doctors and ambulance crews.
The road remained closed in both directions last night between Dunnottar Castle and the Arbuthnott junction as investigations continued.
Police advised drivers to avoid the area and said they expected the road to remain closed for some time.
A significant cordon was established around the area.
Drivers were diverted onto the A90 Aberdeen to Dundee road, through country back roads, resulting in a tailback of vehicles queueing to join the dual carriageway during the evening rush hour.
Among vehicles diverted were Stagecoach buses travelling between Stonehaven and Montrose.
A police spokeswoman said last night: “Five people have been taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary with injuries, ranging from minor to serious.
“The road has been closed for southbound vehicles at Dunnottar Castle and northbound at the B967.
“It will remain closed for some time to allow for investigation work and drivers are advised to avoid the area.”
A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesman detailed the scale of the medical response.
“We dispatched five ambulances, our EMRS north team, one paramedic response unit, an air ambulance, our special operations team and two managers to the scene,” he said.
“We transported two adults to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and three children to the children’s hospital in Aberdeen.”
Mearns councillor George Carr said: “It is very regrettable that we’ve had another accident on the A92.
“It’s difficult to hear about something like this when it happens and I hope everybody is alright.
“My thoughts go out to the relatives, friends and colleagues of those affected.”