A diver was killed yesterday morning when his car crashed off the north’s most notorious road.
The man, whose details have not been released, was travelling north on the A9 Inverness-Perth road when the accident happened three miles south of Dalwhinnie at 6.20am.
The Ford Focus is believed to have gone across the southbound lane and left the straight section of road.
The vehicle went down an embankment, across a ditch and ended up in a nearby burn.
Two fire appliances from Pitlochry and Aberfeldy were called out and firefighters used cutting equipment to release the driver.
However he was pronounced dead at the scene. No other vehicles were involved.
Murdo Fraser MSP, who is a long-time campaigner for the dualling of the A9, said last night: “Here we have yet another tragic fatality on the A9, which sadly reinforces its reputation as Scotland’s deadliest road.”
The road, which is main gateway to the Highlands, was closed for more than six hours to allow emergency services and crash scene investigators to deal with the accident.
The badly damaged car was covered with a tarpaulin and taken away on the back of a recovery lorry.
With the only available alternative route taking motorists along the A82 Crianlarich-Fort William road and the A86 Spean Bridge to Dalwhinnie, many drivers chose to queue on the A9 until it was reopened.
Lines of traffic up to three miles long built up on either side of the closure, and on the road leading from Dalwhinnie to the trunk road – despite warnings from the police that motorists should avoid the area.
One driver said they were driving south to Glasgow to catch an afternoon flight to Australia, while another was heading to Newcastle to catch a ferry.
There were also a number of motorbikers in the queues.
The single-carriageway road was eventually reopened at around 12.25pm with heavy traffic in both directions.
A police spokesman said: “A road traffic collision has occurred involving a north bound vehicle. As a result of this collision the male driver, who was unaccompanied has sustained fatal injuries.
“Further details will not be released until it is confirmed by police that the deceased family members have been informed.
“Anyone with any information relating to this collision please contact police Scotland on 101 or contact your local office.”
The Dalwhinnie area has been the scene of several fatal and serious accidents in recent years.
In July, a woman in her eighties was badly injured in a head-on crash near the Balsporran Cottage B&B, less than a mile from where the road becomes dual carriageway at the Drumochter Pass.
The Scottish Government has committed to dualling the road from Perth to Inverness by 2025.
Work will start on the first Highland section – between Dalraddy and Kincraig – next year.
Mr Fraser added: “This latest tragedy will encourage those calling for improved road safety measures to continue their campaign.”