Two men are battling serious injuries in hospital after they were involved in a horrific two-car smash on a major north-east road at the weekend.
The A90 Aberdeen to Ellon road near the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC) was shut for more than seven hours on Saturday following the accident between a grey Vauxhall Astra and a silver BMW 320.
Both cars had been travelling in opposite directions when the head-on collision happened around 9.20am near the Murcar roundabout.
The badly-damaged Astra was left strewn across both northbound lanes, while the BMW had veered off the side of the road and mounted the pavement.
Emergency services – including police, paramedics and the fire and rescue service – arrived at the scene shortly afterwards.
Three fire crews from Central and Altens stations – with 13 firefighters on board – were called out to the crash site.
Crews used cutting gear, small tools and first aid to free the two men from their cars.
They were subsequently treated by paramedics at the scene before being taken by ambulance to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where they are described as being in a “serious” condition.
Officers were forced to shut the northbound carriageway of the road for several hours, causing major delays for motorists.
Restrictions were also put in place on the southbound lane.
The road was reopened and traffic flow was back to normal by 5pm.
Police have now launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and have appealed for witnesses to come forward.
Sergeant Steve Manson, of the trunk road policing unit, said:
“A southbound grey Vauxhall Astra motor car and a northbound silver BMW 320 motor car collided head on resulting in the drivers, and only occupants, of both vehicles having to be cut free by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
“We appreciate the delays the restrictions caused and would like to thank the public for their patience while specialist officers investigated the collision.”
Anyone who has information which might help officers should contact 101.