A north-east pensioner died yesterday after being hit by an agricultural lorry just yards from his home.
The accident, involving a heavy feed mix vehicle, happened outside the man’s farm on the unclassified Fyvie to Cuminestown road at about 4.15pm.
Police, ambulance and fire crews attended, but nothing could be done to save the man and he died at the scene.
The lorry driver was uninjured.
The road was closed for more than four hours while collision inspectors tried to piece together what happened in the moments leading up to the accident.
Using floodlights, the inspectors could be seen taking photographs and examining the road surface.
One family, whose home was in the police cordon, said they had only heard about the accident when they were diverted by police.
Other anxious members of the close-knit Cuminestown community gathered at the cordon to find out what had happened, with one neighbour describing the accident as a “terrible tragedy”.
Speaking at the scene, Inspector Jamie Harrison said: “We are investigating a fatal road collision involving an elderly male. The man’s family are aware.
“The male driver of the lorry – a heavy feed mix vehicle – is uninjured.”
Officers have appealed for information and have asked anyone who was travelling on the road shortly before the accident happened to come forward.
The incident follows a tragic car crash near Turriff last month in which 77-year-old grandfather Douglas Bruce was killed.
Mr Bruce, who was from the Turriff area, died on Thursday August 28 when his Renault Clio collided with a Mercedes Sprinter van on the B9105 Turriff to Fintray road.