A pensioner is in a life-threatening condition in hospital after a road crash near the Cromarty Bridge.
The 78-year-old driver was airlifted to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness immediately after the accident on Tuesday evening.
His injuries were described as “serious” but were not initially considered as life-threatening.
However, a police spokeswoman confirmed that the man’s condition later deteriorated, leaving him fighting for his life.
The man had been driving a red Vauxhall Corsa.
The male passenger of the Corsa was also taken to Raigmore but his injuries are not thought to be life threatening.
A white Land Rover Discovery was also involved in the incident which happened at the southern end of the bridge on the A9 Inverness to Thurso road.
The female driver of the Discovery was not injured and did not require hospital treatment.
The road was initially closed for the recovery of the vehicles and then closed again at about midnight for a full collision investigation to be carried out following the deterioration of the Corsa driver.
The police spokeswoman added: “Anyone who witnessed the collision or has any information to assist the investigation is urged to contact police on 101.”