Five cars were caught up in a crash on a busy stretch of road just north of Inverness yesterday.
The accident happened on the A9 Inverness-Thurso road, on the northbound dual carriageway less than 200 yards from the Kessock Bridge, just before 1.40pm.
A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesman said that one woman was treated by paramedics at the scene but that she declined transport to hospital.
He added: “We received a call at 1.27pm to attend a road traffic collision on the A9.
“We dispatched one crew to the incident.”
A fire service spokeswoman said that two appliances from Inverness were sent to the scene – but no cutting gear was required.
She said that crews assisted the female casualty who was left in the care of paramedics.
Yesterday at the scene, five cars could be seen off the main road in a large lay-by which overlooks North Kessock and the Inverness Firth.
Only one of the cars was badly damaged at the front, whereas the other vehicles only had some minor damage.
A taxi driver, who wished to remain anonymous but was involved in the collision, said that moments before, he had indicated to change lanes and that a car behind him “flashed” their lights to let him move, and he then heard a sequence of “bangs” behind him.
Another taxi then came to collect his passenger.
Occupants of the other vehicles involved were also checked by paramedics but did not require any treatment.
Police also attended and were taking statements from all those involved, and people who witnessed the crash.
It is understood the road was only blocked initially but the vehicles were moved off the road quickly.