Jon Hebditch and Kieran Beattie
A MAN was airlifted to hospital yesterday after a campervan, pick-up truck and car collided on a busy country road.
Two other people were also taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary following the crash on the B979 Stonehaven to Netherley road.
A helicopter, two road ambulances, three fire engines and police were called to the scene, about 500 yards from South Deeside Road, at about 2.50pm.
And just hours later, emergency services were called to another three-vehicle accident in the area, involving a minibus and two cars.
Two people suffered minor injuries in the incident, which took place on the A90 Aberdeen to Stonehaven road near Muchalls.
Northbound traffic was delayed for several hours while the vehicles were recovered, and the road was cleared by 8pm.
In the earlier accident, emergency services arrived at the scene to discover an off-duty doctor was helping the injured.
Firefighters immediately got to work cutting a motorist from a silver Volkswagen Polo.
One man was airlifted to, while a second man was taken by road ambulance, suffering from non life-threatening back and chest injuries. The third motorist was also taken to hospital, but their injuries are unknown.
The silver car, which came to a stop half in a field with its bonnet in the carriageway, was badly damaged on the drivers side.
The windscreen of the Fiat Ducato campervan was smashed, and the drivers side crushed by the white Ford Ranger, which was travelling in the opposite direction.
A fire service spokesman said: “We sent three appliances, two from North Anderson Drive and one from Altens.
“Cutting gear was used.”
An ambulance service spokesman said: “We received an emergency call at 2.50pm requiring assistance at a three-vehicle road traffic collision.
“We sent two ambulances and the special heli-med helicopter.”
Stonehaven councillor Graeme Clark, who had travelled along the Netherley road just hours before, wished those involved a quick recovery.
He said: “It’s normally a safe road, people usually drive very carefully.
“I actually came up the road around that time, and conditions were fine, but people have got to be extra careful.
“I really feel sorry for the families of anybody that has been affected by this, as it’s a traumatic thing to be in a car smash.
“And you’ve got to feel for the emergency services that have to pick up the pieces.
“But hopefully those affected in this terrible accident will be all right.”