A man has been killed in a horrific road accident in Moray on Tuesday when his mini cooper burst into flames after colliding with a lorry.
The accident happened on the B9016 between Keith and Buckie about two miles from Aultmore shortly before 4pm.
By the time emergency services arrived on the scene it is being reported that the car was already “well ablaze” while the other vehicle involved was also on fire but the driver is thought to have escaped.
Last night a spokesman for Police Scotland said: “We can confirm that we are at the scene of a two-vehicle road traffic collision on the B9016. As a result of the collision one person has died.”
The road remained closed for several hours last night as crash investigators examined the scene and is expected to remain closed for several hours this morning.
A busy route between Keith and Buckie the road has been the subject of upgrade plans for some time with councillors agreeing last year to £3million on upgrades. Around £1.5million has already been spent on improvements to the B9016 where the average number of accidents each year reached 9.4.
Secretary of the Strathisla Community Council, Ian Ross, said that a major realignment of the route was carried out close to Buckie while the section of the road where the accident happened has seen improvements to the verges.
He added: “It’s a well used route with people travelling to work, heavy goods vehicles and cyclists all using the road on a regular basis – however, I reckon it will take millions of pounds to bring it up to standard.”