A council worker has been seriously hurt after being crushed between two snowploughs at a north-east depot.
It is understood the employee sustained serious leg injuries as a result of the incident, which happened at Aberdeenshire Council’s Craigwell depot in Aboyne.
Police and ambulance crews were called to the scene and a 51-year-old man was taken to hospital.
The area around Aboyne has been hit hard by heavy snow in recent days and the depot is used to house snowploughs and gritters.
An Aberdeenshire Council spokesman confirmed one of its staff had been injured in the incident and said the matter had been reported to the Health and Safety Executive in order for an investigation to be carried out.
He said: “We can confirm that on Friday, February 5, an employee suffered an injury while he was working at one of our depots.
“We have informed the Health and Safety Executive and an investigation will be carried out into the incident.”
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “At around 11.40am on Friday, February 5, we received a report of a man being injured at a depot in Aboyne.
“Officers attended and a 51-year-old man was taken to hospital. The Health and Safety Executive has been informed.”
A spokeswoman for the Health and Safety Executive said: “The Health and Safety Executive is aware of the incident and is making inquiries.”
Councillor Peter Argyle, who represents the Aboyne, Upper Deeside and Donside ward, added: “I am saddened to hear about the incident on Friday at the Craigwell depot. I hope that the individual concerned makes a full and rapid recovery.”
Councillor Geva Blackett, who also represents Aboyne, Upper Deeside and Donside, said: “My thoughts are with the employee concerned and his family and I wish him a speedy recovering.”