Two lorry drivers were killed in a horrific head-on crash on the north-east’s busiest road yesterday.
The men died after their trucks collided on the A90 just north of Balmedie at the Hatterseat junction.
The accident happened on a single-carriageway section of the main Aberdeen-Fraserburgh route.
A white Vauxhall Mokka also collided with the rear of one of the lorries but the female driver escaped with only minor injuries.
She was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary by ambulance.
The crash involving an orange Warburtons bread truck and a vehicle operated by offshore support firm ASCO happened about 500 yards from the entrance to Trump International Golf Links, Scotland.
Debris was left scattered across the carriageway and the road was closed for several hours as police carried out an investigation at the scene.
The accident caused problems for evening commuters who were faced with lengthy diversions through the Aberdeenshire countryside.
Traffic slowed to a crawl and even came to a standstill on some smaller rural roads.
Drivers were diverted via the B9000 to Pitmedden, the B999 through Whitecairns and B977 through Belhelvie.
The fire service sent two appliances from Ellon and one from Aberdeen’s Central station, along with a heavy rescue unit from its base in the city’s North Anderson Drive.
Crews returned later in the evening with cutting gear.
Speaking at the scene Sergeant Steve Manson of the trunk road policing group confirmed the two drivers had died and appealed for witnesses to come forward.
He said: “Both drivers of the heavy goods vehicles died.
“Just after 1pm police, fire and ambulance were alerted and attended the scene.
“Both vehicles crashed head-on and unfortunately the drivers were killed.
“The female driver of the car was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
“I would appeal for anyone with any information on this incident to come forward to police.”
An ambulance service spokesman said: “An ambulance did attend an incident on the A90 but it is now a police matter.”
Last night, Mid-Formartine councillor Paul Johnston, whose ward includes the crash scene, said he hoped that future dualling of the road would prevent “more tragedies”.
Initial work is already under way on an upgrade between Balmedie and Tipperty, as part of the £745million Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route project.
The Scottish Government announced late last year that the dualling project would be complete by spring 2017, as part of a drive to finish the Aberdeen bypass six months ahead of schedule.
Councillor Johnston said: “That section of single carriageway road is notorious for crashes generally.
“The dualling work can hopefully help prevent future tragedies of this sort and it’s something that should have been done a long time before.
“Given the firms involved it is likely these were local people.
“A road accident with two deaths is always shocking and my sincere and deep condolences go out to all those involved.”
Police have urged witnesses to contact them on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.