A pensioner is in a life-threatening condition in hospital following a two-car smash on major Highland road.
The collision, between a red Vauxhall Corsa and a Land Rover Discovery, occurred on the A9 Inverness to Perth road, just south of the Cromarty Bridge, on the Black Isle at about 7pm last night.
A 78 year-old man, who was driving the Corsa, was subsequently airlifted to Raigmore Hospital.
He was initially assessed as having serious injuries but his condition later deteriorated, and police have confirmed he is injuries are life-threatening.
The passenger in the Corsa, also in his 70s, is also being treated in hospital but is not in a severe condition.
The woman driving the 4×4 was unscathed.
The road was initially closed to allow for recovery of the vehicles but reopened.
However, several hours later, police shut the road for a second time for about three hours.
Police have said this was to allow them to carry out a full collision investigation after it emerged the Corsa driver’s condition had worsened.
Anyone who witnessed the collision or has any information to assist the investigation is urged to contact police on 101
Pensioner in life-threatening condition following two-car smash on A9