Two major accidents on final day of Road Safety Week

Casualties from two major accidents on Friday.
Casualties from two major accidents on Friday.

THE FINAL DAY of national Road Safety Week may have proved to be a tragic one on Moray’s roads with one man losing his life and several others left injured from separate accidents.

The most serious incident happened on the B9089 road between Burghead and Roseisle just north of the Roseisle Distillery at around 7.30pm last night.

All three emergency services were rushed to the scene including six police units after a motorbike and car had collided. Police could not confirm the condition of the motor cyclist other than to say ambulance crews were on the scene and it was ‘serious’.

A police spokesman said: “Police were alerted to the collision at around 7.30pm and can confirm a car and motorcycle were involved. A further update on the condition of casualties and status of the road will be issued as soon as possible.” Late last night the road remained closed.

This morning Police updated insideMoray with the sad news that the motorcyclist had died, north-east road policing unit Sergeant Steve Milne saying: “First of all, I would say that our thoughts are with the friends and family of everyone involved with this tragic incident.

“I would appeal for anyone who was aware of a silver Vauxhall Astra or a 125cc motorcycle at about 7.30pm last night on the B9089 between Roseisle to Burghead road to contact the police on 101

Earlier yesterday a patient transporting mini-bus was involved in a collision on the A96 near Lhanbryde. It is believed that the crew were transferring a patient to Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin at around 11am when it was involved in a collision with a BMW 535 estate car at the Fogwatt junction.

Three Ambulances rushed to the scene with the road either side of Lhanbryde was closed as rescue services tended the injured. A Scottish Ambulance spokeswoman said: “We sent three crews to the incident – two double crews and a single.

“We arrived at the scene after 11am and transported two patients to Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin, their injuries were not life-threatening. There was one person on board the ambulance involved in the collision.”

Local councillor and regional MSP Douglas Ross said that he was thankful nobody had suffered life-threatening injuries in the A96 accident, adding: “It is a worry that there was an accident at this location. Some cars speed up to overtake on the bypass and it is also a crossing point for pedestrians.

“This is a reminder of the hazards on our roads – particularly with some of the wintry weather we are getting.”