A community is sending its well-wishes to a couple seriously injured in a crash that left two women dead.
The pair were killed after the car they were passengers in went off the A920 Oldmeldrum to Colpy road and crashed into a tree near Tocher at the weekend.
The two other occupants of the car, yesterday named locally as Morgan and Lynda Cresswell, were taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where it is understood they are in a critical but stable condition.
The couple, who live on the outskirts of Tarves, were yesterday described as a “quiet” but “lovely” couple.
They were travelling in a silver Mitsubishi Shogun with two elderly women, who were sisters visiting from Texas and Gloucestershire, when the accident happened at about 4pm on Sunday.
The pensioners could not be saved, and died at the scene.
Yesterday, members of the Tarves community described the accident as a “tragedy” and said their thoughts were with the Mr Cresswell, 74, his wife, 60, and their loved ones.
A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: “I wish them well in their recovery, it is very sad.
“I was pleased to hear they are in a stable condition, so hopefully that is good news.”
Mid-Formartine councillor Paul Johnston, who used to live near the pair, said: “It’s always a tragedy when both members of a couple are in this kind of accident.
“From what I remember, they were a lovely couple.
“It’s terrible when this kind of accident happens, not only for the family but the people who know them and their wider circle of friends.”
Bob Davidson, of Tarves Community Council, added: “Our thoughts are with them.
“It’s a tragedy.”
The accident happened on a straight stretch of road near Meikle Wartle junction, and several people stopped to help the trapped passengers until emergency services arrived at the scene.
The A920 was unusually busy at the time, as the A96 Aberdeen-Inverness road was closed for resurfacing works.
Earlier this week, police appealed for anyone who was in the area at the time of the crash to come forward with information.