A man died and another is in hospital with serious injuries following a crash one of the north-east’s busiest roads yesterday.
The collision between a white Ford Transit and a white Mercedes Vito van took place on the A90 Ellon to Peterhead road, outside Hatton, at 10.45am.
Police, fire and rescue and ambulance crews were all called to the scene, with firefighters cutting the two trapped men free.
Both were then taken on to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where the 48-year-old man who had been at the wheel of the Ford Transit died.
The second man involved, a 26-year-old who had been driving the Mercedes, suffered serious injuries and was being treated at ARI last night.
No others were in the vehicles during the collision.
The road was closed for more than six hours following the incident.
The fronts of both vans were left in ruins, engines mangled – their doors missing where firefighters had intervened.
The Transit is believed to be an Aberdeenshire Council vehicle, however last night a spokesman said the local authority “could not comment at the moment”.
The Vito van had the logo of Integral UK – an independent provider of mechanical, electrical and fabric maintenance services- on its side.
No one from the firm was available for comment last night.
Ellon and District councillor, Gillian Owen, said: “I just want to say how sorry I am to hear of the fatality, my heart goes out to their families and friends and I hope the other man’s injuries aren’t too bad and he makes a quick recovery.
“The trouble is the road surface is not very good anyway at the moment, I think something’s being done to it at the Toll of Birness.”
The Conservative councillor is leading the Why Stop At Ellon? campaign to dual the route all the way to Fraserburgh, which she argues would improve safety.
She added: “Connectivity to the north-east is absolutely essential. The road is important to a huge number of people using it on a daily basis.
“Accidents like this highlight how unfit for purpose this stretch of the A90 has become.”
She added “major financial input” would be needed to make the A90 safer.
Last night Peterhead North and Rattray councillor, Anne Allan – who lives in Hatton – said: “It really is a terrible tragedy, your thoughts go out to the family of these two men because somebody is not coming home tonight.
“It is a straight stretch but there is a bend in it. It is a very fast stretch.”
Sergeant Colin Matheson said: “Our thoughts at this particularly sad time are with the family and friends of those involved.
“We have spoken to a number of witnesses already in order to help piece together exactly what has happened.
“I would urge anyone who may have seen either of the vehicles prior to the collision, or who saw the incident itself and who hasn’t yet come forward to do so as soon as possible.”
A fire and rescue spokesman said: “We left the scene at 12.10pm. We cut two people free. There was two ambulances on scene who took care of the casualties.
“We used cutting gear and trauma bags.”