A police car responding to an emergency incident was involved in a serious crash on the north’s busiest road yesterday.
Three motorists – two civilians and an officer – were trapped in their vehicles on the A9 Thurso to Dunblane road at Delny in Ross-shire.
The crash, involving a Black Mazda and a marked police car, occurred at about 3pm yesterday.
Police confirmed the patrol car was travelling along the trunk road in response to an emergency call in Alness when the accident happened.
Officers were first notified of the crash around 3.05pm dispatching multiple units to the scene.
A police spokesman said: “Police are currently carrying out inquiries regarding a serious two vehicle collision on the A9 at Delny shortly after 3pm today.
“A Black Mazda and a marked police vehicle were involved. The police vehicle was responding and had blue lights in operation to an incident in the Alness area. Police are in attendance alongside the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Ambulance Service.”
The fire service was notified of the serious collision at 3.23pm dispatching a number of appliances to the scene.
A total of four fire engines were swiftly launched into action, travelling from Dornoch, Inverness, Dingwall and Balintore to assist attending police officers and paramedics to free the injured parties.
All four appliances left the scene around 5.50pm.
A coastguard search and rescue helicopter was also dispatched to the scene following the serious nature of the crash.
A spokesman from Aberdeen coastguard confirmed the coastguard search and rescue helicopter was ‘being used by the Scottish Ambulance Service’ to transport casualties to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
The helicopter left the scene around 5.20pm last night before arriving in Aberdeen shortly before 6pm.
The road remained closed in both directions between Invergordon and Kildary for several hours last night as a collision investigation got underway by police.
A police spokesman added: “Diversions are currently in place with motorists being advised to avoid the area where possible. The road between Invergordon and Kildary will remain closed until inquiries are complete.”
Road Policing Inspector David Hynd said: “We are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed this incident or seen either vehicle prior to the collision to contact us on 101 quoting incident 2528 of Monday, 3 September.
“Both vehicles were travelling southbound and we would ask that any motorists who were in the area who may have dash cam footage get in touch with us.”