An 18-year-old man has died following a crash between a lorry and a car on the A9 near Tomatin.
The incident happened just after 6am on the A9 Inverness to Perth road near Dalmagarry Quarry on Friday – resulting in both vehicles being engulfed in flames.
Police confirmed the 18-year-old, who was the sole occupant of the car, was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed.
The driver of the lorry was uninjured.
Officers closed the road for more than 17 hours for collision investigations and for the road to be resurfaced.
It was reopened at around 11.15pm, but inquiries into the full circumstances of the crash remain ongoing.
Sergeant David Miller, from the Dingwall road policing unit, said: “At this time, our thoughts remain with the family and friends of the deceased, along with everyone else affected by this incident.”
Emergency response
Three ambulances were dispatched to the scene, alongside fire crews and officers.
Images from the scene show firefighters working to dampen the smoldering remains of the vehicles.
Firefighters left the scene at around 2.45pm.
CLEAR 23:20 ✅#A9
The A9 has now reopened at Tomatin following the earlier RTC and carriageway resurfacing. @NWTrunkRoads
— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) May 26, 2023
A fire service spokeswoman said: “We were alerted at 6.09am on Friday, 26 May to reports of a road traffic collision involving two vehicles on the A9, close to Tomatin, Highland.
“Operations Control mobilised four fire appliances and specialist resources to the scene, where firefighters are working to extinguish a fire affecting one of the vehicles and to make the area safe.”
Photos of large plumes of black smoke rising from the crash site have been shared online.
Others from the scene show both vehicles are burnt out with melted tyres and debris covering the road.
An eyewitness in the area saw three appliances with blue lights driving towards the A9 at about 6.20am.
It is understood the collision has caused significant damage to the road with a “big black mark” left on the tarmac after the fire.
Officers thank public for ‘patience and understanding’
A 69-mile diversion was in place throughout the day as officers carried out investigations and road resurfacing works took place later.
A police spokeswoman said: “Following a two-vehicle crash earlier today, the A9 at Dalmagarry has now re-opened.
“We want to thank those affected for their patience and understanding whilst extensive inquiries were undertaken, and road resurfacing was completed.”
The crash has taken place on a stretch of the single carriageway which campaigners have been fighting to get duelled for years.
In February, it was announced the Tomatin-Moy upgrade had been rejected due to high costs.
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