Neighbouring north-east fishing villages were in mourning last night after a local man was killed in a horrific car crash.
Malcolm Stephen died at the scene of the smash on the B9033 Fraserburgh-St Combs road.
The 52-year-old was a passenger in a green Vauxhall Astra being driven by his 83-year-old father Benjamin when it was involved in a collision with a Renault Scenic.
Mr Stephen sen was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary by ambulance and detained overnight.
The 50-year-old female driver of the Renault was airlifted to ARI by an RAF Lossiemouth-based Sea King helicopter and a 17-year-old youth who was a passenger in her car was also taken to hospital.
And last night police revealed they were also trying to trace the driver of a third car, who may have vital information about the accident.
The crash happened shortly after 7pm on Sunday near the turnoff to neighbouring Inverallochy and Cairnbulg.
Local councilors said the communities would be shocked by the tragedy.
Fraserburgh and District SNP member Charles Buchan said: “It must be devastating for his family – the suddenness of it.
“The whole village’s heart will be going out to the family, and they’ll be in my thoughts.”
Fellow SNP Fraserburgh and District councillor Brian Topping said: “At a time like this, my heart goes out to the families concerned. It’s a big, big tragedy for the folk in the area.”
Police said a third vehicle was believed to have been at the scene moments before the crash.
Sergeant Rob Warnock, of the Aberdeenshire and Moray road policing unit, said: “I am looking to trace the driver of a vehicle that turned out of the Inverallochy junction just prior to the collision and who may be a key witness.”
Coastguards from Peterhead had to create an emergency landing site in a field near the crash scene to allow the RAF helicopter to land.
The road was closed while police carried out an investigation at the site late into Sunday night.