Two women were left trapped after a serious road accident last night on the busy A96, near to Inverness airport.
The casualties had to be cut free by firefighters after they were caught up in a three vehicle crash about eight miles east of Inverness.
There were serious delays on the road between the city and Nairn as emergency crews made their way to the scene.
Initial reports suggested there were no serious injuries, but there was nonetheless concern for the health of at least one of the women.
She was said to be “conscious and breathing” as fire service units arrived to help.
Police said the three vehicle involved – a silver Kia Sportage, which was pushed off the road by the impact, an Audi A3 and a blue Citroen Berlingo – all sustained significant damage.
Firefighters had to remove the roof and doors of the Kia with hydraulic cutting equipment to free one of the women.
The Audi sustained damage to the rear part of the car while the Citroen was damaged at the front.
❗NEW❗ 17:57#A96 at Inverness Airport – all aproaches to the roundabout ⛔CLOSED⛔ in both directions due to an RTC. Diversion in the process of being set up.@NETrunkRoads pic.twitter.com/QRT3JhaGq2
— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) June 4, 2018
As emergency services worked at the site of the crash, a quarter-of-a-mile west of the airport roundabout, diversions were put in place.
There was significant disruption on the road for about two hours as the vehicles were recovered and the road was cleared of debris.
The two casualties were passed into the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service.
Neither is thought to have sustained serious injury. No-one else was injured.
Police Scotland said no crash scene investigation had been necessary.