The family of an Aberdeen teenager who died after a two-car crash on a north-east road have praised medical staff who fought to save him.
Benjamin Waterfield, 17, died in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary after suffering serious head injuries in the smash on the A947 in the early hours of Saturday.
Police yesterday named the young man, who was a passenger in a silver Citroen C2 which collided with a blue Seat Leon between Dyce and Newmachar.
In a statement which was released to the media through police, Mr Waterfield’s family said: “We are devastated and heartbroken at the loss of Benjamin, a much-loved son, brother and grandson.
“We would like to thank all the emergency workers involved in the inquiry, and would particularly like to thank the staff at the [ARI’s] Intensive Care Unit who fought just as hard as Benjamin did.
“We would request that our family be left as we try to come to terms with our loss. As a family, we are thinking of everyone involved in the accident.”
The incident happened at about 2.15am just past the Swailend junction.
Four people were taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, with three other people described as “walking wounded”.
The two damaged cars were at the side of the road, with the roof of the Citroen torn off while the Seat was mounted on the roadside.
A section of the route, between Parkhill and Newmachar, was closed for more than nine hours following the crash.
A fire service spokesman said one person had to be cut free from their vehicle.
She said: “Two appliances were in attendance. We used hydraulic cutting gear, because one person was trapped in the car.”
Sergeant Neil Morrison of the police’s road policing unit asked anyone with more information about the incident to come forward
He said: “Our sympathy is with Benjamin’s family at this sad time.
“While our inquiries are continuing, I urge anyone who witnessed the collision and who has yet to come forward, or anyone who has any information, to telephone 101 as soon as possible.”
Mr Waterfield’s death is the 10th fatality on the A947 Aberdeen to Banff road in the last five years.
More than 40 people have also been seriously injured on the 38-mile stretch of road.
